Job Search Strategies for a Slow-Hiring Market

Network

Networking has always been a cornerstone of effective job hunting, but its importance is magnified in a saturated market where hiring managers frequently receive more applicants than they have open positions. Kory Kantenga, LinkedIn’s Head of Economics, Americas, emphasizes that job seekers should leverage their network to connect with individuals working in the roles and industries they are targeting. This approach transforms the job search from a process of sending out cold resumes into one of making warm connections and potentially securing referrals, which Kantenga notes is highly valuable in the current climate.

Doreen Coles, senior director of career growth and development at ADP, suggests a more proactive strategy. She advises job seekers to first identify their ideal companies, industries, and roles, and then find ways to strategically build connections within those areas before submitting an application. These connections can be cultivated through professional platforms like LinkedIn, in-person events, conferences, or by leveraging a mutual contact. Coles explains that attempting to make connections only after applying for a position can come across as self-serving. Reaching out beforehand, however, demonstrates a genuine interest in learning about the field and the organization, which can set a candidate apart.

Avoid Using AI To Completely Write Your Application

Job seekers today are bombarded with conflicting advice on whether artificial intelligence can help or hinder their search. However, a consensus among many hiring and workplace experts is that AI should not be used to completely author your resume, cover letter, or any other writing samples submitted during the hiring process.

Margaret Burke, principal, talent acquisition and development leader at PwC, clarifies that AI can be a useful tool for refining your documents. “AI can be used to tighten up your resume and it can be used to enhance your cover letter, but it still needs to be your own voice and it still needs to be your own experiences on that resume,” she says. The technology can help with formatting and phrasing, but the core content must remain authentically yours.

With over 20 years of HR experience, Burke also cautions against an over-reliance on AI during the interview stage. Candidates must be prepared to discuss their own true experiences in depth. She warns that AI-generated responses can sound sterile and generic, and experienced interviewers can easily see through them. The key is to use AI as a supportive tool for polish and preparation, not as a substitute for your own voice, personality, and genuine professional history.

Emphasize Human Skills AI Can’t Replace

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries and redefine job responsibilities, workplace experts are pointing to a critical advantage for job seekers: the enduring value of human-centric abilities. Priya Rathod, a workplace expert at Indeed, observes a notable trend in the current job market, stating that “human skills are traveling in a way that purely technical skills sometimes don't.”

Rathod explains that the demand for these competencies is not limited to a single sector. “We’re hearing again and again that things like communication and critical thinking and leadership and empathy are the skills that are valuable right now across a lot of industries,” she says. This widespread need is backed by data; Indeed’s research indicates that skills of this nature appear in nearly three-quarters of all U.S. job postings.

Given this high demand, Rathod advises professionals to proactively showcase their interpersonal and cognitive abilities. Highlighting these strengths on resumes and during job interviews is essential, she notes, to demonstrate to employers that a candidate can perform effectively despite the increasing presence of technology in the workplace.

This perspective is shared by Lisa Su, CEO of Advanced Micro Devices. Speaking to recent graduates at MIT, Su offered a powerful reminder of the limits of automation. “For everything that AI can do, AI can’t decide which problems are worth solving. It can't make the hard judgments when the data is not there. It can't take responsibility for the outcomes.”

According to Su, these distinctively human responsibilities—making ethical judgments, setting strategic direction, and owning the consequences of decisions—are not being diminished by technology. Instead, she argues, they “matter now more than ever.”

For professionals looking to advance their careers, the consensus is clear: while technical proficiency is valuable, the ability to communicate, lead, and think critically is what will differentiate them in a competitive landscape increasingly influenced by AI.