If you’ve been in the job market for more than a few years, you probably remember the good-old days when you could submit a resume (online and, before that, via email or postal mail) and you’d quickly be called for an interview. In fact, in some industries, you could literally just walk into an office, hospital, or job site, and you’d be snatched up. Fast forward to today, and we’re looking at a whole-new world. You need job-search strategies for 2025 that will help you navigate an employer’s market. That means a new approach that includes being more proactive than the old “apply and wait” game.
Don’t worry; I’m going to walk you through all of it. And if you need individualized support, Your Career Advocate is here to truly advocate for you in this wild job market.
What’s Causing the Shift in the Job Market?
People ask me all the time what’s going on in the market and why we’re seeing this shift. I asked ChatGPT to give me some reasons, and this is what I learned:
The economy is in flux.
Not to put too fine a point on it, US politics have a lot of people on edge. No, I’m not going to get political here, but it has to be said. With inflation, interest rates going up, and general economic uncertainty, companies are tightening their belts. That means more layoffs and, often, lower salaries. While the US unemployment rate is relatively low, 4.1% as of February 2025, it certainly doesn’t feel like that when you’re in the trenches. I used to be able to tell job seekers they could expect to land offers within six weeks, but even with sound job-search strategies for 2025, they’re now averaging closer to three to four months to land.
AI and automation have entered the conversation.
There’s a lot I like about technological advancements. I mean, to prepare for a recent flight, I didn’t have to do much more than download my travel documents to my phone! But there are pros and cons to the increased use of AI and automation in the job search. We continue to battle with crafting resumes that effectively pass through ATS, and now some companies are leveraging AI to complete initial resume reviews. Generative AI programs, such as ChatGPT, help in many ways yet can cause challenges in others. Add to all that the fact that some positions are transitioning away from people to be more automated, and you can start to understand the downsides of an uptick in technology.
Remote work options are increasing competition.
Think back to before 2020 when you applied for a job. At that point, almost all roles were onsite, so you were only competing with the maybe 50–100 applicants who were qualified and willing to drive to that location. Now, though, job seekers are competing against hundreds—even thousands—of qualified people across the country (or globe!) who are vying for that one role. No longer can you just apply and wait; today, you need proactive job-search strategies for 2025 to help you stand out in a crowd.
Employers are being more selective with hires.
Perhaps it’s because of our remote environment, but in today’s market, employers have way more choices. Instead of just having two or three interviews before making a hiring decision, they may conduct half a dozen or more. You could meet the entire team, and the process can take months. And this is true for remote, hybrid, and in-person positions. That means you need to keep your enthusiasm and engagement up from your initial application all the way through the interview process, which is tiring and downright emotionally draining.
How to Leverage Better Job-Search Strategies for 2025
Okay, that’s the bad news, but there is light at the end of the job-search tunnel! (You didn’t think I was going to leave you hanging, did you?) Here are some of the tips I share with my clients to help them stand out in today’s employer’s market. Get ready to work, friends.
Reach out to decision makers before and after applying.
No doubt you’ve heard about the “hidden job market.” Put simply, many jobs don’t get posted because they are filled internally or through networking. That means you need to be in the conversation ahead of time to be considered. This is easily handled through LinkedIn by:
- Identifying target companies and following them.
- Researching and connecting with people in the job title you want, those who are a level above that, and hiring managers and recruiters at those companies.
When connecting, focus on developing a relationship, not on getting a job. Your goal is to get known by these employers, so they’ll think of you when openings arise.
Network like it’s your job.
Have you heard that looking for a job can be a full-time job in and of itself? I know I’ve said it—because it definitely feels true! Leveraging job-search strategies for 2025 means that you need to go above and beyond to be recognized as a go-to problem solver. One great way to do this is through networking. Research chambers of commerce, area networking groups, industry associations, and alumni associations to make connections. You can network online (hello, LinkedIn!) as well as in person at structured events. Again, your goal is to create in-roads and build relationships, but you also need to tell people you meet how they can help you. Try this as an opener:
“I’m currently looking for a position as . . ., and I’m targeting this company/industry.”
Giving your new connections a job title and place you want to work will help them think of people in their network to introduce you to.
Position yourself as a thought leader.
Quick question: Would you rather hire someone who’s known within the industry or someone who’s just phoning it in? Seems like an obvious answer, right? One of the most effective job-search strategies for 2025 is to make yourself indispensable by becoming a subject-matter expert—and letting everyone know it! LinkedIn is by far the best place to do this, and you can do a few different things there, including:
- Posting regularly about your expertise. This isn’t bragging; this is sharing insights, asking questions, and sparking conversation.
- Responding to your network’s posts. Now, you’re not just starting the conversation, you’re being an active participant in it.
- Write articles about your thoughts and expertise.
- Contribute to collaborative articles. This is to writing articles as responding to posts is to posting regularly.
Send thoughtful applications.
Stop sending the same resume to every position when you apply. Don’t create a canned cover letter to accompany it. Instead, address how you will add value to the organization, why you’d like to join them in that role, and how you fulfill the requirements of the position. Proofread your materials every time you apply. Minor errors could cost big.
Get recruiters on your team.
Knowing and leveraging recruiters in your journey can make all the difference to job-search strategies for 2025. But too many job seekers are doing this ineffectively by approaching recruiters and asking them to find jobs on their behalf. That’s just not what recruiters do. Instead, introduce yourself and suggest a conversation about how your talents might align with their clients’ needs. If you’ve already applied, reach out and introduce yourself for that specific role. Recruiters do enjoy when job seekers are proactive, but they also have lots to do, so “bothering” them (whether that’s what you are doing or that’s what they perceive you are doing) won’t help your case.
Stay positive and persistent.
Reaching out to people once isn’t going to be enough. It’s not enough in sales, and what you’re really doing in your job search is selling yourself. You need to follow up immediately after applying or interviewing, a week later, and every two weeks after that—until you move to the next step or are declined. Yes, you will receive rejections, but you need to keep moving forward. Do something every day that keeps you active, whether it’s on LinkedIn or in person. Only when you do that will you see success quickly.
These Job-Search Strategies for 2025 Will Help You Land Faster
There are no guarantees in life, but when you adapt to this new job market, you’ll have much better results. On the flip side, if you’re just applying and waiting, I’m sorry to say that you’ll be waiting for a while. You need a strategy, a game plan, and a positive attitude to match. Reaching out, networking, creating content, and showcasing your value are what will help you stand out amongst the competition. And if you’re stuck, just ask. I think I might know someone who can help.
Most job seekers have no idea if their resume is working or getting lost in the abyss. At Your Career Advocate, I write resumes that engage hiring managers and recruiters, PLUS provide you with strategies to ensure those documents are seen. Result? You get more interviews and better job offers. Learn more about your options here.