Level up your job search: 8 Tips for putting your best foot forward as you look for your next role

Today’s job market looks much different than it did two years, a year, or even just a few months ago. In 2020, we saw many tech companies start working from home and the Great Resignation, which continued into 2021. And in 2022, layoffs started, hitting entire industries, including tech.

In 2023, the market is continuing to change, but, in keeping with historical patterns, the first few months of the year remain a busy time for applicants. New year’s resolutions and returns from holiday breaks can really spark folks to find their next gig. But doing so this year requires that candidates find different ways to stand out.

In short, candidates must switch up their approach to finding a new job. “It’s no longer enough to just fire off your resume in response to an online job posting,” says Adrienna (Dre) Yu (she/her/hers), Chime’s Recruiting Manager of Sourcing Strategy and Operations. “What used to be a candidate’s job market has swung the other way — now recruiters are inundated with applications and looking for candidates to stand out,” she adds.

Here are 8 tips to help you put your best foot forward — and stand out in a pool of candidates — in the search for your next position.

Take your time if you have it

“If you have the opportunity to take more time to find the best fit for you, take it. Don’t join a company just to sign onto a new job. Taking the time to do your due diligence is worth it — it’ll put you a step closer to finding a company where you’ll enjoy the work, see your career grow, and feel taken care of.”

2. Don’t apply online

“Applying online is one of the biggest mistakes people are making in the current market. With many companies slowing down hiring, a lot of roles listed aren’t actually active — so if you’re applying to a ton of online jobs, it might be a wasted effort. Many niche roles that require specific skill sets won’t be posted online to avoid large influxes of applicants who don’t meet the necessary criteria. Your best bet is to rely on word of mouth and directly messaging recruiters — more on that in the next tip.”

3. Connect to recruiters

“The truth is that in this market, word of mouth and connections are going to get you further than applying online. So think back to any recruiter you’ve ever worked with…and reach out to them. They can suggest roles for you or connect you to other recruiters at companies you’re interested in.

To optimize for responses, put together a list of companies you aspire to be at and share it with a recruiter you know, asking for introductions you might need.”

4. Don’t over-stress about your profile

“Recruiters will look at your LinkedIn profile or resume for 30–45 seconds on average. In order to stand out, make sure that the content is simple and outcome-oriented: Focus on the things you’ve achieved and include data when you can.

When it comes to adding “ex-” with companies you’ve left or been laid off by, I recommend letting your job history speak for itself. Advertising that you were part of layoffs, while relevant, can create an unconscious bias for a recruiter, hiring manager, or an interviewer on a panel.”

5. Be proactive and create value

“Be proactive in your messaging to recruiters — some of us receive over a hundred messages from candidates daily! If you’re generic and ask for a recruiter to suggest an opening that might be a good fit for you, you’re creating work for them.

Instead, share what you’re skilled at and which open roles you think you’d be good at, including links to job listings where you can. For example, if the business is similar to your current or former employer, draw an example of something you’ve accomplished that could benefit the company you’re interested in. This will help the recruiter connect you with folks working on that role, shows the initiative you’ve taken and the value you can provide, and it takes the burden off of the recruiter.”

6. Meet your recruiter halfway

“Many recruiters, especially in tech, are facing slower hiring or layoffs on their own team, so it’s a sensitive time. Remember that we’re all humans doing our best to provide an excellent experience for our hiring teams and candidates.

With that in mind, the more you do your homework and know about the company, the less a recruiter will feel like they have to ‘sell’ you on the job. By meeting your recruiter halfway, your conversations will feel more organic, and you’ll get to the meaningful part of finding a new job faster, instead of spending time in the initial pitch phase.”

7. Don’t be deterred by salary ranges — or a lack thereof

“With a recent California law that requires all companies over 15 employees to share salary ranges with job postings, it can be disheartening to see specific ranges but try not to be turned off by them. Some companies post ranges with a lot of integrity, while others list absurd ranges that won’t give you an accurate idea of their salaries.

Instead of relying on posted ranges (which can be averages of salaries across many locations), communicate with your recruiter to understand the role better and ask them about pay ranges, then decide if it’s the role for you.”

8. Populate your newsfeed with valuable content

“While it can be hard to filter through hard news on your newsfeed sometimes, I can’t understate the value of finding value-adds for your feed. Find the folks who are willing to take time out of their days to offer advice, share resources, or meet one on one — they’ll usually be part of the recruiting or recruiting ops teams at a company.

When you find them, follow them. They’re most likely to share and reshare posts that will populate your newsfeed with relevant information. Also, follow hashtags and join groups relevant to your field or job search — doing so will add even more great content to your feed. Crafting a LinkedIn feed that can provide you with valuable information is a low-effort way to make your network do some of the work for you.”

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Whether you’re looking for a new job in this new year or planning for a move in the future, we hope these tips from Dre help you make the most out of your search.