No One’s Quitting, Here’s How To Still Get Hired

Tricia Levasseur

3 min readAug 19, 2025

In a competitive job market where fewer people are leaving their jobs, landing a new position requires a proactive and strategic approach. Here’s how to increase your chances of getting hired without spending a dime.

Do Your Homework:

If you know exactly what you want to do or exactly where your skills are effective and needed, you’ll be able to better shortlist ideal companies for you. Free tools like Career OneStop’s skills matcher is a robust tool that helps you identify a list of jobs that suit you.

Research Target Companies: create a list of companies you’re interested in and learn about their mission, values, culture, recent projects and relevant news or events.

Understand the Job Description: carefully read and analyze the job description to identify the required skills, qualifications and experience. This is where AI can be a helpful support. Run the job description through AI and ask it to identify specific information.

Identify Key Decision-Makers: determine who the hiring managers are and tailor your approach accordingly. Tools like LinkedIn and even Google Search can help you locate the name of a hiring manager or human resources executive.

Refine your Application Materials:

Showcase your Unique Value Proposition: identify and highlight your unique skills, experiences and accomplishments that differentiate you from other candidates.

Optimize for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS): use keywords and phrases from the job description in your resume and cover letter to increase the chances of your application being seen by a hiring manager.
WARNING: most ATS systems can’t read formatted text boxes.

Tailor your Resume and Cover Letter: customize your application materials for each specific role, highlighting relevant skills and accomplishments and incorporating keywords from the job description.

A free download of an ATS friendly resume template can be found here.

Network Strategically and Proactively:

Networking significantly aids a job search by providing access to unadvertised job opportunities, insider information and valuable career advice. It also allows job seekers to bypass traditional application processes and get their resumes directly in front of hiring managers through referrals.

Tap into your Existing Connections: let your network know you’re looking for a job and be specific about the types of roles you’re interested in.

Access to Hidden Job Market: many jobs are filled through referrals and internal networks, meaning they’re not advertised publicly. Networking helps you tap into this “hidden job market”.

Referrals: a strong network can lead to referrals, which significantly increases your chances of getting hired. Referred candidates are often viewed more favorably and are more likely to be interviewed.

Expand your Network: attend industry events, conferences, workshops, and join professional organizations or online communities to meet new people in your field.
* Joining the local Chamber of Commerce might open doors to freelance consulting work while your job search continues.
* The Junior League is a wonderful resource for career women of any age, not just early stage career professionals.
* For professionals over the age of 50, AARP offers a free ‘Back to Work Age 50+’ group coaching program that facilitates professional networking among peers.

Offer Value First: instead of asking for jobs, focus on building genuine relationships and offer your knowledge or expertise to others in your network.

Stay in Touch: nurture your connections by sending occasional check-ins or sharing relevant articles and resources.

Feels Like a Dead End: Real Strategies That Work:

In a tough job market where nobody is quitting, getting a new job can significantly harder due to increased competition and reduced opportunities. A lack of turnover means fewer openings, and with more people actively looking for work, employers face a larger pool of qualified candidates for each position. While this can be difficult, it’s not impossible, and you can increase your chances of success by adopting a few of these career development strategies.