10 Hard Truths About Searching for A Job in 2025

There’s all kinds of confusing and incorrect AI-generated information online about resume design and formatting, job search tactics, getting through ATS systems and other gatekeepers, and other career-related topics. Here is the stone cold truth about job hunting in 2025.

1. Don’t let online scammers scare you with the ATS. Applicant Tracking Systems are not evil robots that review and kick out your resume (unless it’s attached to a kick-out question[s] in the application form such as “Do you have X number of years of experience in Y?” and you don’t). It’s a filing and contact management system that HR staff use to manage the “workflow” of job postings, resume processing, and Human Resources communications. That’s all it is. “Beating the ATS” means including keywords and experience directly relevant to the job requirements. That’s it.
2. Your resume is a marketing document with one purpose: getting you an interview! It shouldn’t be comprehensive, or include information irrelevant to the role you’re seeking. You should go back just 10-15 years of work history. One or two pages is fine
3. As of July 2025, the average time to find a job is 6-9 months. That’s the reality of this economy, at least for most industries.
4. Applying for roles that you’re not qualified for is a waste of time. Most jobs receive dozens or hundreds of applicants, and some candidates are likely to meet ALL the requirements for the role. If the job description asks for “5 years of loan processing experience” and you have 6 months, you’re probably not going to get that job. Don’t waste your time.
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5. Double-down on the available positions that you ARE truly qualified for. Take the time to customize your application so its easy for the hiring manager to see how your uniquely qualified. Use advanced sales tactics to get in front of the hiring manager or key influencers.
6. No matter how qualified you think you are for a job, no mater how well you aced the interviews, at the end of the day you may still not get the offer. Don’t beat yourself up over this, its not personal, it’s just life. So don’t get too hung up on any single job role.
7. Its impossible to change your career by rewriting your resume to make it seem that your qualified for a role that you have no experience or training in. For example, if you’re a teacher that wants to get into sales, you can’t trick the sales hiring manager that your experience selling…however a Sales Manager might give you a chance if you’ve got a great personality and a way to highlight it. Be creative.
8. For most office and professional roles, networking on LinkedIn is a must for connections, leads, and yes, even jobs. Follow and connect with peers and recruiters in your industry. Search job postings. Connect with potential hiring mangers and companies. Leverage LinkedIn Groups and thought leaders to keep up to date in your industry.
9. You don’t need an overly designed or fancy resume to stand out , and you don’t need to hire a resume writer- use a standard resume template, customize with your experience, education and training. Here’s a free template and guide you can start with.
10. In the thick of the job hunt? Be kind to yourself. Job searches are difficult, stressful, and frustrating. I suggest you spend time with the people you love, doing things you enjoy, during your search.
11. One last thing: Be careful about scammers. They are everywhere, and they prey on the hope and desperation of job seekers. Fake job postings (they want to steal your personal data) and resume writing and career counseling scams are most common, so be careful out there!

Thanks for reading, I hope you find this information useful. I’m Rick, a professional resume writer living in Phoenix. I’ve written over 1,000 resumes for all roles, including Sales and Marketing, Customer Service, Skilled Trades, Operations, Frontline Workers, Logistics, Business Development, Retail, General Managers, Financial Services, Administrative, Project Managers, Healthcare, Human Resources, IT, Engineering, Software, Mortgage and Real Estate, Teaching (plus many unusual roles, like Magician, Canine Therapist).

I also work with recent graduates, military personnel transitioning to civilian roles, and other career transitions or changes.

Here’s How I Can Help You:
1) FREE Resume evaluation. I’ll review your resume and tell you exactly what you need to do to make it great. With specifics and suggestions. Completely free. If your resume is already pretty good, I’ll tell you that–and I won’t try to upsell you. Nobody likes that.

2) Hire me to write your custom resume and cover letter. LinkedIn too, if you like. 2-5 day turnaround, unlimited revisions, affordable pricing. I can also customize your resume and/or cover letter(s) for specific roles. Contact Me for Details.