Let’s be honest: looking for a job right now feels like yelling into a hurricane. You’ve seen the headlines about mass layoffs. You might have been ghosted by a recruiter or two. Perhaps worst of all, you hear nothing when you and 500 other applicants respond to a single job post. It’s a jungle out there, and the old rulebook has not only been thrown out, it’s been set on fire.
The old strategy of diligently polishing your resume, hitting “submit,” and waiting for interview requests just won’t cut it in 2025. Neither will the same old job search tips and “How to Get Hired Today” blog posts. Networking for job seekers is more important than ever, as is working with recruiters. So forget about “apply and pray” and learn about the strategy we like to call “network or nap.”
Relationship > Resume
Why do we say networking is so important? Consider how candidates actually break through the noise of 500-plus applicants for a single job. While you’re polishing up your resume into a work of art, the job gets filled by someone whose primary qualification was having a 15-minute coffee meeting with an important manager at the hiring company.
Welcome to the new reality where networks can speak louder than credentials. While that’s not always the case, many of the most coveted job postings are already filled before they make it online.
You might say, “Hey! I have a large LinkedIn network. Why hasn’t it helped me land a job?” The secret is to build authentic relationships, not LinkedIn hit-and-runs. Turn that virtual network into a real-life one, and you’ll start to make some headway.
Recruiters Aren’t Scary; They’re Strategic
Part of that real-life network needs to include some recruiters. It’s likely that you only talk with them about open roles because you think that’s all they care about. And that’s a big mistake.
Don’t think of recruiters as gatekeepers guarding precious jobs. They’re more like strategic talent scouts. That’s because a good recruiter isn’t just focused on filling today’s open roles. The good ones are busy building pipelines of exceptional people for the opportunities of tomorrow.
To start building solid relationships with recruiters, you need to spend the time to figure out what they actually want from you. Spoiler alert! It’s just three things: Clear communication, clarity about your goals, and, frankly, a pulse. Just bring your expertise and be human. The recruiter can take it from there.
Network Smarter, Not Harder
If you feel like you’re not good at networking, you’re probably overthinking it. Remember the part about being human? When recruiters and others in your network see “Let’s connect!” a thousand times a week, it’s easy for them to think they’re talking to robots. So don’t repeat that worn-out phrase.
Instead, show some real interest. Don’t just leave a like or thumbs-up on their content. Engage with the content by discussing its main points or asking questions. A lot of this engagement will be easier in person, so look for opportunities to network in person. Leverage alumni groups and professional associations. In the online world, move beyond LinkedIn to places that feel like digital water coolers, such as your Slack communities.
Wherever you network, the key to doing it smarter is to relate on a human level. Remember: Don’t pitch. Relate.
Rejection Isn’t Personal, But Ghosting Still Sucks
Of course, nothing in this advice is a magic spell. You’re still going to get ghosted sometimes. You’re going to hear “no” as a response to your job applications. And that’s OK. It isn’t personal, even when you’re trying to build personal relationships.
What will set you apart is how you respond to silence and rejection. The candidates who consistently show up, stay around, and are helpful are the ones who remain top of mind. Just don’t be pushy about it. When you don’t get the answer you want, take the L like a professional. Recruiters remember the pros, not the pushy.
Final Thoughts: Play the Long Game
Here’s the bottom line: Job searching is an emotional, draining, and very, very human process. However, since it’s human, it’s also a relationship. Build the right ones, and opportunities will follow. You just have to put in the work and play the long game.
Stop just applying. Start working with recruiters. The right recruiter is a strategic partner worth having in your corner, and the best ones (ahem, like us at MRINetwork) are ready to play the long game with you. To get started, connect with MRINetwork today.
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