Introduction
If the 2025 job market feels more confusing than ever, you're not alone. Ghosting is rampant, response rates are low, and job descriptions seem to demand the impossible. In this episode of the Ramped Podcast, we sat down with a seasoned recruiter to unpack what’s really going on.
They’ve worked across agency and internal recruitment, coached hiring teams, and built a loyal following by exposing the real mechanics of hiring. From how to follow up on a job application to navigating vague job descriptions, their advice helps job seekers stop wasting time—and start getting interviews.
The State of the Job Market in 2025
While headlines claim hiring is surging, the fine print paints a different picture. Most of the new roles are concentrated in hospitality and part-time work. Meanwhile, white-collar roles remain highly competitive—and in many sectors, scarce. If even recruiters are being laid off, it signals that companies aren’t growing, and hiring budgets are on pause.
This disconnect between headlines and reality creates confusion. Government unemployment rates only track those actively applying for jobs—not the thousands who have paused their searches out of burnout or frustration. If you've applied to dozens of jobs without a single callback, you're not alone. But in this environment, volume isn't enough—strategy matters more than ever.
Candidates today must adapt to a hiring landscape shaped by automation, over-saturation, and cautious corporate planning. You’re not just competing against hundreds of other applicants—you're often competing against internal referrals, former contractors, and even AI filters designed to reduce recruiter workload.
The solution? Understand the hiring ecosystem and play to its blind spots. This means targeting the right roles, preparing strategically, and using your time efficiently—not just applying harder, but smarter.
Strategic Foundations for a Successful Search
Effective job searching in 2025 requires clarity, alignment, and a serious rethink of outdated tactics.
Resume and LinkedIn Alignment
Your resume and LinkedIn profile are no longer just a formality—they're filters. Many companies now use applicant tracking systems (ATS) that score your resume before a human ever sees it. To stand out, your materials must lead with accomplishments—not tasks.
For example, instead of writing, “Responsible for onboarding,” opt for, “Streamlined onboarding process, reducing ramp-up time by 25%.” These quantifiable wins demonstrate real value. Your resume accomplishments should be mirrored on your LinkedIn profile to create consistency across platforms. Conflicting information—or even inconsistently formatted dates—can cause concern and result in automatic disqualification.
Clarity on Role and Fit
Vagueness kills momentum. When asked, “What are you looking for?” too many candidates answer with, “I’m open to anything.” That’s not helpful—to you or to the recruiter. Instead, define your goals: What kind of company culture do you thrive in? What types of problems do you enjoy solving? Which tools or technologies are you skilled in and want to keep using?
Joel emphasizes that you should only apply to roles where you meet at least 60–80% of the requirements. Not only will this improve your odds of being shortlisted, but it also conserves energy for interviews where you’re a legitimate contender.
Volume Meets Efficiency
It’s not uncommon to apply to over 200 roles before landing meaningful interviews. But that doesn’t mean you should waste time copying and pasting. Smart job seekers use automation strategically—through platforms like Ramped Autopilot, which lets you batch-apply to targeted roles while customizing key parts of your application.
Use your time to prepare, connect, and follow up—not endlessly re-enter your email address.
Mastering Interviews and Messaging
Landing the interview is only half the battle. Knowing how to speak to your strengths is where you set yourself apart.
What Recruiters Really Want
Every recruiter screening call boils down to three core questions:
- Are you affordable? Be prepared with a specific range, not a guess or “based on market data.”
- Are you interested? Show you've done your research. Know what the company does and why it excites you.
- Are you qualified? Use examples and metrics to prove it.
Many recruiters are tasked with narrowing down hundreds of applicants to five viable candidates. Don’t make them guess—make it obvious.
Tell Me About Yourself (And What It Really Means)
This question may seem simple, but it often causes candidates to derail the conversation with irrelevant personal history or rambling chronology. Instead, think of it as a pitch:
- Briefly summarize your most recent role
- Mention one or two quantifiable accomplishments
- Express enthusiasm about the opportunity
Here’s how to nail your “Tell Me About Yourself” answer with structure and confidence.
Follow-Up That Gets Seen
Once you've applied or interviewed, following up increases your odds of being remembered—if done well. Joel notes that on platforms like LinkedIn, most responses come on the third follow-up message. The key is persistence, professionalism, and brevity.
Sample outreach: “Hi [Name], I just applied for [Job Title] and would love to be considered. If there’s any additional info I can provide, I’m happy to share. Thanks so much for your time!”
Then follow up two more times, spaced out over 3–5 business days.
For step-by-step guidance, see our full post on how to follow up on a job application.
Networking with Intention
Stop thinking of networking as cold messaging strangers. The best connections come from warm referrals—past coworkers, classmates, mentors, and friends who can vouch for your character.
Additionally, explore community channels: niche Slack groups, Discord servers, and local events are increasingly where job leads live. Find out how to get a job referral even if you don’t know someone at the company yet.
Avoiding Common Pitfalls and Rewriting the Rules
Too many job seekers spend weeks or months spinning in place. Here are some of the biggest mistakes—and how to avoid them:
- Not applying to enough jobs. If you’ve sent 30 applications and heard nothing, you’re just getting started.
- Applying blindly. If you're not customizing at least the top third of your resume, you’re missing the mark.
- Relying on recruiters to “find” you a job. Recruiters are paid by companies to fill roles—not by you to find one.
More importantly, forget the outdated career rules. You don’t need to stay at a job for five years. You don’t need to climb one linear ladder. And you don’t need to say yes to the first offer you get if it doesn’t align with your values.
Careers today are built—one opportunity, one pivot, one connection at a time.
Conclusion
The job market isn’t broken—it’s just different. But once you understand the rules (and know when to break them), you can take control of your path.
Be strategic. Be clear. Be persistent. And know that every rejection brings you closer to the right opportunity.
🎧 Watch the full interview here!
Let your job search work for you—not against you.
Things You Need While Searching for a Job
Once you are armed with the knowledge about what kind of job will make you happy, there are core things to get lined up for a job search. Let's look at a few.
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2 Value
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5 Value
What to Look for in a Job
Fun fact, most people will have about 12 different jobs in their working lifetime. This goes to show that finding a job that you love enough to hang onto takes some forethought and possibly a bit of trial and error. Just the same, you can make some plans in advance, helping you land in a position that leaves you perfectly content. Check out a few things to look for when looking for that perfect job.
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