According to a recent report, startups are expected to boost hiring by 20-30% this year as funding improves. These companies, driven by technological advancements and shifting market demands, are increasingly providing opportunities for the market.
However even with this growth, challenges remain. For example, remember the days when applying for a job meant walking into a business, chatting with the owner/manager, and having a trial shift? Those were the days. Now, data shows that between 2018 and 2024, job hunters took 241 days to find a job or about 8 months.
This number isn’t so surprising when you remember that each job application takes a lot of work, tailoring your resume to each specific job you apply for. Plus, all this application time must be slotted around your current job, family life, hobbies, or studies.
So, with applications taking longer, competition is less fierce, right? Sadly, this isn’t the case. Workday’s Global Workforce Report found that the share of applications on their platforms grew by 31% in the first half of 2024, compared to the same period in 2023, and applications grew four times faster than hiring demand.
With the labor market being as tough as ever, job seekers have their work cut out if they plan on standing out. But it’s not all doom and gloom. We have three expert tips to help you market yourself for success and land the job of your dreams in 2025.
Strengthen Your LinkedIn Strategy
LinkedIn is the place to be when it comes to job hunting. Especially as seven people are hired every minute on the platform. With LinkedIn being an essential tool for job candidates, having a complete and professional profile on top of a standout resume is a must.
First off, start with the ‘About’ section. This is where you want to win people over with your confident and charming personality without coming across as arrogant. Next is ‘Experience,’ think of it as a mini resume. You’ll need to provide around three to five bullet points for each of your jobs/roles and share your responsibilities and how you excelled. Any data or percentages are great here. For example, ‘I increased client retention by 25% when managing my team.’
Don’t forget about the ‘Endorsements’ down at the bottom of your profile. This is where employers can check if you’ve been truthful on your resume and see what skills and experiences your colleagues and managers have seen you accomplish.
Once you’ve updated all this information, you might think you’re done, but not entirely. The biggest point when it comes to LinkedIn is using it like a professional social media platform. By sharing articles and your opinion on relevant industry news, you’re showing potential employers that you’re passionate and an expert in your field.
Finally, head over to your settings to turn on your ‘open to work’ status; this lets employers and headhunters know you’re ready to talk. Double-check that your contact information is up to date, too, and include some keywords to help your profile be found by companies using LinkedIn’s InMail feature.
If you’re unsure about what keywords to include in your profile or how to best optimize your account, don’t worry; there’s some great AI tools available.
Harness the Power of AI
Don’t worry; it’s not cheating; in fact, employers are also leveraging AI tools, so it’s time for candidates to do the same. Particularly as a 2024 survey from Resume Builder found that 50% of business leaders use AI in the hiring process, and 68% will by the end of 2025.
Companies leverage AI software within their application tracking system (ATS), as the AI algorithms help filter through applicants and reduce the number down to a manageable size. In fact, research has found that ATS rejects up to 75% of candidates before a manager sees their resume. So, in order to make it through the different rounds of AI screening, applicants need to use AI themselves.
It’s common for job seekers to use generic AI tools like ChatGPT to ask about keywords and optimization. However, these platforms weren’t built exclusively with job applications in mind. This often means they provide generic advice, a one-size-fits-all template, and inaccurate keywords. However, platforms like Goldbridge.AI can be exactly what job seekers are looking for.
Applicants could be the perfect candidate for a job, but if they’re not optimizing their resume and weaving the right narrative, then applications could be in vain. An AI-powered resume optimizing platform, like Goldbridge.AI, helps applicants with this exact problem.
Users upload information relating to the job they’re applying for, including role expectations and requirements, as well as their own resume. Goldbridge.AI will then analyze the data, provide a score of how well the applicant’s current resume aligns with the job they’re applying to, and give job seekers a score of 100.
If a clever applicant already has a top-scoring resume, the platform can write a personalized cover letter for the job, explaining why they’re a top candidate, saving the user precious time. On the other hand, if an applicant could improve their resume, Goldbridge.AI will provide feedback and edits on how to include keywords—to bypass the ATS system—for example, and where to expand on particular skills or points to exclude.
With help from the solution applicants can reduce the time they spend applying for jobs while enjoying more successful applications and, importantly, interviews.
Build Meaningful Connections
Around 82% of US employers use employee referrals to identify, shortlist, and hire new candidates, so having a strong personal network and friends in the industry is a smart way to secure your next position.
While socializing might not be your favorite pastime, it’s time to get extroverted during the job hunt. Reach out to past colleagues, managers, and other industry professionals and let them know you’re looking for a new role. With their help, you might find a job that hasn’t been posted yet or get an introduction that leads to a job opportunity.
If you haven’t been working in your industry long, don’t have many contacts, or are changing industries, you have some work to do. One of the best ways to expand your contacts is by attending industry and networking events, as well as virtual events and webinars. You can find these through websites like Eventbrite or Meetup.com. These events are an excellent way to access industry professionals and gain insider knowledge on new and upcoming companies and job opportunities.