Recruiter Tips For Job Seekers: What's Working in Today's Market
- Jenna Cantwell
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
Want the real recruiter tips for job seekers that actually work? You're in the right place. As a former recruiter who's reviewed thousands of resumes and placed hundreds of candidates, I'm pulling back the curtain on what really matters in today's job market. The hiring landscape has shifted dramatically as we close out 2025, and what worked earlier this year isn't cutting it anymore. Let's talk about what recruiters are actually looking for right now.
What's Happening in the Job Market Right Now
Before I share my top recruiter tips for job seekers, let's talk about what's actually happening in the market—because context matters.
The job market has shown clear signs of softening as we close out 2025. In September, the U.S. added just 119,000 jobs. While that beat expectations, unemployment climbed to 4.4%, and third-quarter payrolls averaged only 62,000 new jobs per month (down from 133,000 monthly in Q3 2024). The BLS also revised down the 12-month period ending March 2025 by an average of 67,000 jobs per month, revealing weakness that started in early 2024.
What's going on?
✔ Hiring has slowed down dramatically: Q3 2025 averaged 62K new jobs/month vs. 133K in Q3 2024—a 53% drop year-over-year
✔ We're in a "slow hiring, slow firing" environment: Initial jobless claims remain low and seasonal, meaning companies aren't cutting staff, but they're not actively hiring either
✔ The Fed is responding with rate cuts: Two 0.25% cuts in September and October brought rates to 3.75%-4% with market expectations of additional cuts in 2026
✔ Job openings are still high at 7.2 million: But companies report difficulty finding the right candidates, with 7.6M Americans actively looking for work
✔ Labor force participation dropped to 62.4%: Down from the recent high of 62.8% in November 2023, reflecting an aging workforce
But here's the flip side: Unemployment remains historically low at 4.4%, and wage growth is steady at 3.8% year-over-year. Consumer spending continues to hold strong, corporate earnings are constructive, and companies are holding onto existing employees rather than laying them off. The labor market is cooling, not collapsing—which is exactly what the Fed wanted to see.
Bottom line: As we head into 2026, this is a transitional market—frustrating, yes, but not a crisis. Job seekers should expect longer searches and more competition, but opportunities still exist—especially for candidates who can clearly articulate their value and adapt their approach. Focus on industries with strong hiring momentum (healthcare, tech, skilled trades) and position yourself as the solution to specific business problems, not just another applicant.
3 recruiter tips for job seekers
Recruiter tip #1: Stop Leading with Your Job Title
As a former recruiter, I can tell you: titles don't differentiate candidates. When someone asks what you do, resist the urge to say "I'm a Project Manager" or "I'm in sales." Here's what does make you memorable.
Lead with the problem you solve or the impact you create.
Try this instead:
✔ "I help tech companies launch products on time and under budget"
✔ "I build sales strategies that turn cold leads into loyal customers"
✔ "I streamline operations so teams can focus on growth instead of chaos"
This tiny shift makes you memorable AND positions you as a problem-solver, not just a title-holder.
Why this works from a recruiter's perspective: When I'm sourcing candidates or reviewing applications, I'm not just looking for a title match - I'm looking for someone who can solve a specific business problem. The faster you can communicate your value, the faster I can see you as the solution.
Where to use this approach:
Networking events and conferences
LinkedIn profile headline and connection requests
Job interviews when they say "Tell me about yourself"
Email introductions to recruiters or hiring managers
Casual conversations at industry meetups
Your action step: Practice it this week at networking events, on LinkedIn, and in conversations. The more you use it, the more natural it will feel.
Recruiter tip #2: What We're Actually Looking For
Here are the recruiter tips for job seekers that will make you stand out in a slower market. As a former recruiter, I can tell you: we're not just looking at your resume - we're looking at how fast we can get you in front of a hiring manager with the least amount of risk possible.
Here's what makes a candidate stand out:
✔ Clear, value-driven headlines: "Marketing Manager | Growing Revenue by 30%+ in B2B SaaS" beats "Marketing Professional" every single time. Show what you DO, not just what you're called
✔ Quantified achievements: "Increased revenue by 40%" is way more compelling than "responsible for revenue growth." Numbers prove impact and make our job easier when we're pitching you to hiring managers
✔ Responsiveness and flexibility: Reply to recruiters within 24 hours and be open about start dates and salary expectations. The more rigid or slow you are, the harder it is to place you—and we'll move on to the next candidate
✔ Eliminate risk by mirroring the job description: Recruiters and hiring managers want the safest bet. Use their exact language, highlight the skills they asked for, and show you've done this exact work before. The less they have to "imagine" you in the role, the better your odds
Bottom line: Make it easy for recruiters to say yes to you. The faster they can move you through the process, the more likely you are to get the job.
Recruiter tip #3: Use AI to Tailor Your Resume (The Right Way)
One of my favorite recruiter tips for job seekers? Use AI to customize your resume faster, but do it strategically.
Stop sending the same generic resume to every job. On the flip side, stop spending hours tailoring your resume only to potentially still receive a rejection email.
Here's what to do:
Copy the job description you're applying for
Copy your current resume headline and summary (from your master resume)
Paste this prompt into ChatGPT (or your favorite AI tool):
I'm tailoring my resume for a new job. Below is the job description I'm applying for, followed by my current resume headline and summary.
Please rewrite my headline and summary to better align with this specific role. Keep the character count roughly the same, maintain my tone of voice, but tailor the content to reflect the skills, qualifications, and language used in the job posting.
Job Description: [PASTE JOB DESCRIPTION HERE]
My Current Resume Headline: [PASTE YOUR HEADLINE HERE]
My Current Resume Summary: [PASTE YOUR SUMMARY HERE]
Pro tip: Review the AI's output and tweak it to sound like YOU. AI is your assistant, not your ghostwriter. Make sure it still feels authentic before you hit send.
Why recruiters appreciate this: When your resume mirrors the job description (without being robotic), it's easier for us to see you as a fit. It also helps your resume get past applicant tracking systems (ATS) and land on our desks.
Roles & Companies Hiring Right Now
As a career coach with recruiter connections, here's what's crossing my desk right now:
Hot roles I'm seeing:
Project Managers (especially in tech and healthcare)
Account Executives & Sales Directors (SaaS, B2B)
IT Managers & Cybersecurity Analysts
Operations Managers (logistics, supply chain)
Marketing Directors (digital, growth-focused)
Full-Stack Developers (PHP, Python, React, Ruby on Rails)
company shoutouts:
Shutterfly: Various Remote Job Opportunities
They regularly post remote roles in Customer Support, Creative, Marketing, Operations, etc.
OnTheGoSystems: Remote Roles
100% remote-first tech company with several positions available, including AI Solutions Engineer, Head of Content, and various developer roles. View company jobs
Hiring Our Heroes: Virtual Events & Job Board
A U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation program connecting transitioning service members, veterans, military spouses, and military caregivers with career opportunities. They host free virtual hiring events throughout the year with live networking, recruiter connections, and on-demand career prep workshops. They also maintain an active job board with roles across multiple industries. Learn more and explore opportunities
GitLab: Various Remote Job Opportunities – Remote-first org with roles open in Sales, Engineering, Product, Security, Marketing, & Office/Admin. View Jobs
Ready to Stand Out to Recruiters?
If you're tired of sending out resumes and hearing crickets, let's fix that. I offer resume writing, LinkedIn optimization, and job search coaching designed to help you get noticed by recruiters and land interviews faster.
View services or book a FREE consultation call to find out more.
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Career Tools, Resources, & Shopping Finds I'm Loving Right Now
As a career coach and former recruiter (and someone who spends way too much time online), I'm always finding tools, resources, and random finds that make life easier - whether you're job searching, working from home, or just trying to survive the workday.
Here are a few things I'm currently obsessed with:
🎁 The Perfect White Elephant Gift or Coworker Gift (That's Actually Going To Get Used!): This affordable gift is perfect for coworkers, clients, friends, or even yourself! It's an adorable visual reminder of the workday mood shift—funny, functional, and relatable. Shop now!
🔥 Heated Floor Mat for Under Desk: It's freezing already, and I can't be the only one who hates having cold feet during long job search sessions or work-from-home days. This heated floor mat is a game-changer for staying warm and focused. Shop now!
👗 Women's Dress for Holiday Parties & Networking Events: With holiday parties and networking events happening now through early 2026, you need something that's polished, comfortable, and doesn't require a million accessories. This one checks all the boxes. Shop now!
🤖 Google AI Essentials Course: Free with Coursera trial. If you're trying to understand AI and how to use it in your career (beyond the resume tip I shared above), this is a solid starting point. Learn the basics in this self-paced course and add a Google certificate to your resume and LinkedIn profile. Sign up now!
Some links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting small businesses like mine!
Final Thoughts
Your career is a marathon, not a sprint. Don't compare your chapter 3 to someone else's chapter 8.
Job searching can feel like everyone else is winning while you're stuck at the starting line.
But here's the truth: you're not behind. You're exactly where you need to be, learning what you need to learn, building what you need to build.
Keep going. Your breakthrough is closer than you think.
From my mind to your screen,
About the Author:
Jenna Cantwell is a former recruiter and certified career coach who's helped hundreds of professionals land their dream jobs. She shares honest, actionable career advice through her weekly newsletter, Career Unfiltered.
Want more recruiter tips? Subscribe to Career Unfiltered for weekly insights delivered straight to your inbox.
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