4 Smart Strategies to Get Recruiter Attention in 2025
Apr 06, 2025
The job market in 2025 is getting tougher.
Hiring budgets are tighter, applicant pools are bigger, and recruiters are drowning in 1000s of resumes daily. Simply applying online isn't going to cut it anymore.
Your employment this year will depend on 3 things:
- Strategy
- Execution
- And how well you stand out from the competition
Over the last few months, I’ve spoken to and learned from 50+ people who landed roles at places like Tesla, Amazon, and Google, many of them without any prior U.S. experience.
Watch these podcasts from my channel:
- Samarth’s story
And I’ve narrowed their playbook down to 4 high-leverage strategies.
Most jobseekers aren’t using these or don’t even know they exist.
Let’s break them down.
1. A Resume That Passes the 10-Second Test
Recruiters skim. They don’t read.
You have a few seconds to stand out.
Make your resume pop with these tips:
🔹 Tailor it to the job.
- Applying to PM roles? Focus on leadership and communication.
- For data roles? Highlight SQL, analytics, and tools like Tableau.
- Cut out unrelated experience. Only show what matters.
🔹 Make it numbers-driven.
Don’t write: “Worked on improving data collection.”
Write: “Optimized data pipeline, reducing load time by 35%.”
🔹 Keep it scannable.
- Put Work Experience above Education
- Use bullet points, not paragraphs
- Start each bullet with an action verb: Led, Analyzed, Built, Owned...
2. Cold Outreach That Actually Works
Most jobs aren’t posted.
They’re filled through networks.
Here’s how to tap into the hidden job market:
🔹 Use job boards to find, not apply.
- Use Indeed to spot openings (last 14 days)
- Go directly to the company’s careers page
- Cross-check the recruiter or hiring manager on LinkedIn
🔹 Send direct DMs (that don’t get ignored)
Search for:
“Tesla” AND “University Recruiter”
Then DM something simple:
DM Templates for Reaching Out to Hiring Managers & Recruiters
1️⃣ Direct Outreach (Cold DM to Hiring Manager/Recruiter)
Hi [First Name],
I’m a [Your Major] graduate student at [Your University]. I’m looking for [Internship/Full-time opportunities] starting from [Start Date].
I have prior experience in [Relevant Industry/Skill] and wanted to reach out to see if there are any open positions in your team.
Would love to connect and discuss more.
Thanks and Regards,
[Your Name]
2️⃣ DM for a Hiring Post (Engaging with a Job Posting on LinkedIn)
Hi [Recruiter’s/Hiring Manager’s Name],
I came across your post about [Job Title] at [Company Name] and wanted to reach out.
I believe I’d be a great fit for this position given my experience in [Relevant Skill/Domain].
Would love to connect and discuss more about this opportunity. Let me know if you’d be open to a quick chat!
Looking forward to your response.
LinkedIn Connection Request & Follow-Up DM Templates
1️⃣ Connection Request (Before They Accept)
Hi [First Name],
I noticed that you work at [Company Name], one of my dream companies.
I’d love to connect with you and learn more about your experience. Looking forward to staying in touch!
2️⃣ After They Accept Your Connection Request
Hi [First Name],
Thank you for accepting my connection request! I saw that [Company Name] recently posted a job for [Job Title], and I believe I’d be a strong fit for the role.
I know you must receive a lot of applications, so I was curious: What’s most important to you when considering a candidate for this type of position?
I’d really appreciate any insights or advice so I can better prepare myself and hopefully have an opportunity to interview with your team in the future.
Looking forward to your thoughts!
→ Follow up after 4–5 days if there’s no reply.
3. Go Beyond LinkedIn to Reach Hiring Managers
Everyone’s messaging recruiters on LinkedIn.
Want to get noticed? Use this underrated hack:
🔹 Use Google to find decision-makers
Try: site:linkedin.com "Security Manager" AND "Google"
🔹 Use advanced Boolean searches on LinkedIn
Examples:
"University Recruiter" AND "Tesla"
"Hiring Manager" AND "Cybersecurity"
This method helped multiple jobseekers in my community reach out to people who actually had open roles not just recruiters managing 100 reqs at once.
4. Build a Simple Portfolio That Proves You Can Do the Work
Resumes are great, but proof beats paper.
A good portfolio makes you look like a doer, not just a job seeker.
🔹 Use Notion, WordPress, or GitHub Pages
- Add a 1-line bio and link your resume
- Highlight 2–3 key projects (Problem → Action → Result)
- Include visuals, dashboards, or code snippets
- Add any testimonials, awards, or certifications
🔹 Example:
Richa built her portfolio before even landing in the U.S.
She showcased 3 in-depth data projects and used the portfolio link in cold DMs.
She got interviews in her first month.
These 4 strategies aren’t just hacks.
They’re what’s working right now, even for folks with no U.S. experience.
✅ A sharp resume
✅ Proactive networking
✅ Smart outreach
✅ Proof of work
Master these, and you’re no longer just a name in a stack of resumes,
you become a no-brainer hire.
Want to go deeper?
These are just a few pieces from my Ultimate Job Hunting Course, where I walk students through the entire job hunt strategy from scratch (resume + networking + execution).
👉 Check it out here and start building your roadmap to success in the U.S. job market.
You've got this. Let’s make 2025 the year you land your dream job.
— Yudi J