Still Looking for Work? Here Are the New Rules of the Job Search in 2025

Since getting laid off from a tech advertising position final November, Stephanie Wandell has utilized to a whole lot of jobs. She’s heard again from solely a handful of recruiters, with none gives.

“I used to be a bit of bit naive going into it, pondering I might do what I at all times do and depend upon making use of to as many locations as I can,” mentioned Wandell. “It turned fairly clear that this time is completely different.”

Ask anybody who’s unemployed they usually’ll inform you immediately’s job market is more difficult than it was. Up to now a number of months, my LinkedIn social feed has been a testomony to that. Laid-off professionals share posts about their agonizing battles to search out employment, with job searches stretching more than a year. 

Amid signs of an economic slowdown, corporations are pulling again on hiring, leaving job seekers within the lurch. Going through fierce competitors for a shrinking pool of open positions, candidates are attempting to grasp new methods to get past AI screeners into the arms of a human recruiter. Some wait months for a response, solely to be ghosted by HR departments. 

Even when official unemployment figures seem comparatively low, thousands and thousands of Individuals are wading by way of this emotional and financial roller coaster. The well being of the job market is measured by individuals’s capability to get a job, mentioned Daniel Zhao, lead economist on the profession and job search website Glassdoor. 

Listening to these experiences, I had loads of questions. Is the job hunt depressing for everybody? Why are so many certified and gifted staff getting the silent remedy? How are of us using AI in their search? What’s HR really in search of? 

I spoke with a number of profession specialists to collect probably the most easy recommendation for serving to job seekers on their journey. I additionally compiled an inventory of free employment sources and upskilling platforms under. 

1. Concentrate on high quality over amount

Sending out a whole lot of purposes with the identical resume may really feel like the correct strategy nevertheless it’s not the most effective use of your time. 

“We discover many job seekers available in the market haphazardly making use of to any and/or all jobs as a substitute of concentrating on related ones,” mentioned Chad Sowash of the Chad and Cheese Podcast, which covers recruitment know-how, expertise administration and workforce economics. 

As a substitute of spending a number of hours making use of to a number of jobs, use that point to tailor every resume towards the position you actually need. Corporations have gotten more and more selective of their hiring practices so job seekers additionally have to be choosier about the place they apply. 

“Not all positions and hiring corporations shall be a match so do not attempt to be all issues to all individuals,” Sowash mentioned. 

To slender down your search, take into consideration what you are in search of when it comes to work setting and tasks, mentioned Sam DeMase, profession knowledgeable at ZipRecruiter. “Do not simply throw spaghetti on the wall and see what sticks.” 

Establish the worth that makes you an distinctive candidate. “In case your resume may be very generic and would not communicate to your particular superpowers, you are not going to get as many hits as you’d with a hyper-tailored resume,” DeMase mentioned.

2. Optimize your resume for automated software program

Once you apply to a job on-line, your resume probably will not go straight to a recruiter or hiring supervisor. Nearly all Fortune 500 companies use an applicant monitoring system, or ATS, to course of purposes and dismiss candidates routinely. 

As my CNET colleague identified in a 2023 story on resume robots, the ATS software program scans purposes for a particular proportion of matching key phrases, sometimes 70% to 80%. If there’s not a excessive match with the posting, your utility most likely will not make it to the following stage, no matter your {qualifications}.

To create an ATS-friendly resume, learn the job description totally and word specific key phrases, phrases or expertise. If the necessities precisely align together with your {qualifications}, add them to your resume utilizing the identical language. That mentioned, do not go overboard. Whereas key phrases are necessary, stuffing your resume with too many can learn as unnatural. 

Jobscan, Skillsyncer and a number of different on-line platforms present free resume scanning instruments geared towards optimizing your utility for ATS. 

Zhao mentioned resume key phrase optimization is not about “beating” the pc. It is about ensuring recruiters and hiring managers see your expertise and expertise. 

After getting the correct steadiness of key phrases, simplify your formatting to make it clear and concise, which helps the ATS and recruiters evaluation your resume. Keep away from utilizing fancy headers and footers, graphics or tables, which frequently get garbled by the pc software program. 

3. Timing is every little thing 

Arrange a number of job alerts and be able to act instantly on those that you simply like probably the most. DeMase recommends being one of many first individuals to use to the job posting in order that your resume would not get pushed to a later spherical. 

“Sadly, these jobs are getting posted and have greater than 100 candidates inside 48 hours or sooner,” mentioned Demase. You probably have a number of variations of your resume prepared, you possibly can adapt rapidly. 

Simply because a posting remains to be up after a number of weeks doesn’t suggest the corporate remains to be reviewing purposes or in search of new candidates.

4. Leverage AI, however do not depend on it

In 2024, more than 50% of job seekers used AI to draft resumes and canopy letters. Whereas generative AI instruments like ChatGPT can velocity up the writing course of, they have a tendency to provide generic, impersonal content material.

“One of many points I see with job seekers who overly depend on AI is that their utility finally ends up trying like everyone else’s who’s utilizing AI as effectively,” mentioned Zhao.

To keep away from the identical formulaic responses, present detailed prompts that emphasize the elements of your utility that align with the job description and make your background and expertise distinctive. For instance, you possibly can ask the chatbot to evaluation your cowl letter and recommend methods to make it extra compelling primarily based in your talents and pursuits.

“It is necessary for individuals to consider how their resume distinguishes them, how their ability set, even when it is nontraditional, may give them a unique perspective than different individuals within the candidate pool,” Zhao mentioned. 

5. Community strategically

Even in immediately’s digital age, networking stays extremely highly effective for touchdown a job, particularly contemplating that many roles aren’t advertised online however stuffed by way of referrals. 

In case you’re new to networking, begin reaching out to the individuals round you: household and pals, alumni and former co-workers. Ask them in the event that they know anybody in a profession area that pursuits you or works at an organization you are interested by. 

“Of us can go quiet after a layoff, as a result of there is a deep sense of disgrace, notably in our society, the place a lot of our identification is related to our work and our productiveness,” mentioned Lisa Countryman-Quiroz, CEO of JVS Bay Area, a workforce improvement nonprofit. “It is necessary to struggle by way of that, faucet into your community and let individuals know you are trying.” 

As a substitute of simply requesting a job or connection, actively interact in conversations, ask considerate questions, share your individual insights and search for methods to supply worth, mentioned DeMase. Sending out a handful of personalised emails will get you farther than dozens of generic copy-and-paste notes.

6. Construct further expertise

Showcasing aggressive expertise like information evaluation, digital collaboration and AI device experience is essential in immediately’s job market. As a substitute of prioritizing conventional credentials like schooling, 76% of employers put higher worth on precise work expertise and demonstrated talents, even when you’re self-taught.

“You may make your self stand out by indicating the completely different belongings you’ve realized by yourself and the way that would apply to that employer,” mentioned Countryman-Quiroz.

Free on-line programs, equivalent to LinkedIn Learning or IBM SkillsBuild, may also help you be taught helpful expertise and even acquire official certification. Native faculties and group facilities regularly present low-cost programs on something from digital advertising to insurance coverage licensing. 

In case you’ve been unemployed for a very long time, you should use programs and coaching to fill within the gaps in your resume, which reveals that you simply’re proactive and self-directed.

7. Mentally put together for ghosting

For a lot of, the hardest a part of job searching isn’t listening to again. Getting ghosted by an employer or recruiter can really feel extremely private nevertheless it’s not a mirrored image of your expertise or {qualifications}. Analysis from LinkedIn discovered that nearly 40% of candidates say they’re making use of to extra jobs than ever however listening to again much less. 

There are numerous explanation why HR would not comply with up: finances cuts, hiring freezes, inner shifts or too many candidates. You may by no means know the actual purpose. 

You possibly can ship a well mannered follow-up e-mail to the hiring supervisor to show your continued curiosity, which can immediate them to reply. However attempt to not blame your self or spend an excessive amount of time dissecting why you did not hear again. 

After being ghosted following a number of interviews, Wandell began The Job Ghosting Project, an inventory of nameless tales from job seekers who’ve been ignored by corporations. Inside per week of posting the survey, Wandell acquired greater than 500 submissions, with responses starting from current grads to high-level executives.

“The objective is admittedly simply to doc these patterns, validate the job seekers and push for accountability within the hiring course of,” mentioned Wandell. 

8. Arrange thoughtfully for interviews

Interview prep goes past understanding your resume and the position. You may want to indicate why you need this particular job with this particular employer. 

Begin with analysis. Have a look at the corporate’s current information, press releases, social media and opinions. Perceive their newest initiatives, challenges and competitors.

Use the STAR methodology. Break down every requirement within the job description and join it to a particular instance out of your expertise. Observe structuring your solutions utilizing the STAR method (scenario, job, motion, outcome) to show your affect in a transparent and concise approach.

Observe, follow, follow. Say your interview solutions out loud, not simply in your head. If potential, do a follow interview with somebody you belief and get sincere suggestions. That may assist establish awkward phrasing and make you extra assured throughout the actual factor. 

Put together questions for the interviewer. Asking considerate questions of the hiring staff reveals your engagement and understanding of the position/firm. 

9. Make the search sustainable

It’s normal to really feel discouraged, pressured and embarrassed when confronted with rejection. “The job search is a slog and you must just remember to’re doing it in a sustainable method,” mentioned Zhao. “You possibly can’t simply apply to 100 jobs every single day since you’ll burn your self out.” 

Set clear boundaries in your job-hunting hours, schedule common breaks and arrange casual conferences to community. Concentrate on having a help system in place, particularly with different individuals in search of work. Being in a gaggle with individuals in the identical scenario can actually “diminish the disgrace that so many really feel round not being employed,” mentioned Countryman-Quiroz. 

After becoming a member of a job-seeker help group throughout a earlier layoff, Wandell began her personal group this previous 12 months. It began with 5 individuals and it is now grown to 50 to 100 contributors. “It is a house for individuals to vent but additionally to ask questions, community and brainstorm,” mentioned Wandell.

Learn extra: Layoffs Are Happening. How to Prepare if You Think You Might Lose Your Job

Free job search platforms and upskilling sources 

We compiled an inventory of sources accessible that can assist you sharpen your expertise and streamline your search.

Basic job boards

Trade-specific/area of interest job boards

• InHerSight: Group offering profession recommendation and job matching particularly for girls. 
• Jobs in Logistics: Job search website for employment in logistics, provide chain, transportation, stock administration and extra. 
• The Mom Project: Useful resource group geared towards working moms in search of out family-friendly corporations. 
• Recruit Military: A military-to-civilian recruiting firm connecting navy veterans, transitioning navy service members and their spouses with employment alternatives.
• Remote Jobs: Website curated by distant work specialist Rowena Hennigan, offering sources for distant work openings.
• SchoolSpring: Nationwide job board for academics and others in schooling. 
• Superpath: Job board for content material strategists, writers and freelance bloggers. 
• Working Nomads: Job search website for world distant work tailor-made particularly towards digital working nomads.
• VC Job Boards: Curated record of job boards that includes enterprise capital positions. 

Office improvement nonprofits

• STRIVE: Gives tuition-free expertise coaching, job readiness help and private teaching for these in search of to enhance their profession prospects. 
• NPower: Offers part-time tech expertise coaching, together with IT, cloud computing and cybersecurity, with alternatives for paid internships. 
• Goodwill: Gives job coaching and employment providers, profession improvement and monetary literacy packages, in addition to job placement help. 
• Year Up: Focuses on serving to low-income younger adults acquire IT and enterprise expertise by way of paid internships and job placement. 

Upskilling 

• Coursera: Gives programs, certificates, and levels from high universities and corporations, overlaying topics like laptop science, enterprise and information science. 
• Udemy: An enormous on-line market for programs, with choices starting from well being and health to IT and software program, and extra. 
• LinkedIn Learning: Offers programs on enterprise, inventive, and know-how expertise, taught by trade consultants. 
• Skillshare: A community-based platform for inventive and curious individuals, with lessons in illustration, design, images and extra. 
• edX: Gives university-level programs from numerous establishments, together with MIT and Harvard, overlaying a  vary of subjects. 
• IBM SkillsBuild: Offers free entry to studying supplies and certifications in areas like cloud computing and AI. 
• HubSpot Academy: Gives free programs and sources on advertising, gross sales and customer support. 
• Google Skillshop: Offers free digital expertise coaching by way of on-line studying platforms. 
• Microsoft Learn: Gives free on-line coaching and certifications on Microsoft merchandise.
• freeCodeCamp: A platform for studying net improvement by way of on-line programs. 
• MIT OpenCourseWare: Offers entry to free MIT course supplies.