Standing Out When the Job Market Is Flooded with Applicants

Many of my clients recently have expressed the same concern: How do I stand out when the job market is flooded right now with people who are applying for the same job?

The current market is unusually crowded. Federal workers facing hiring freezes and higher education professionals affected by layoffs are flooding the non-academic job market. Add in applicants using AI tools to mass-apply, and it’s easy to wonder if your carefully crafted resume will even be seen by human eyes.

The truth? You can’t rely on the job portal alone. To stand out in this market, you need to think strategically, expand your visibility, and leverage every tool at your disposal.

1. Don’t Just Apply—Get Referred

Online applications often disappear into a black hole. One of the fastest ways to bypass that? A referral. Even a soft referral (a contact sending your resume to a hiring manager or recruiter) drastically increases your chances of being seen.

• Reconnect with alumni, former colleagues, and professional associations.

• Tell people specifically what roles you’re targeting so they can connect you to the right opportunities.

• Follow organizations you’re interested in and engage thoughtfully with their content on LinkedIn before applying.

• Let everyone you know you are on the job hunt and what types of jobs you are looking for. You never know when a friend, family member, or acquaintance may have a hot tip on a job opening.

Pro tip: A short, personalized message like “I see you work at X organization—I’d love to learn more about your experience there” often opens the door better than “Can you help me get a job?”

2. Show Up Where Hiring Managers Already Are

Don’t wait for a posting to appear. Build visibility in the spaces where your future colleagues gather.

• Join LinkedIn groups in your sector and share insights (not just job-seeking posts).

• Attend industry webinars and ask smart questions that show your expertise.

• Volunteer to sit on panels or contribute short articles/blogs for associations in your field.

You’re building a reputation so that when people think “Who would be a good fit?”—your name comes up.

3. Treat Networking as a Long-Term Investment

A network isn’t something you tap only when you need a job—it’s something you cultivate. Even in this tight market, one consistent networking conversation a week can compound into a powerful web of opportunities over a few months.

• Start small: reach out to people you admire and ask how they got into their role.

• End every conversation with: “Who else would you recommend I talk to?”

• Keep notes and follow up every few months—you never know when timing will align.

Bonus: I have had some of my new network connections become friends for years, so you never know what you can get out of these relationships.

4. Distinguish Yourself Beyond the Resume

When AI tools make it easier than ever to produce polished applications, your differentiator is authenticity plus proof.

• Share examples of your work: a portfolio, blog posts, presentations, or reports.

• Highlight stories of impact—specific problems you solved, changes you led, or innovations you contributed.

• Demonstrate your personality and values in cover letters, networking conversations, and interviews.

Machines can generate words. They can’t replicate your lived expertise or your unique perspective.

5. Expand Your Definition of the Job Hunt

In this market, you have to look beyond the “Apply” button.

• Hidden job market: Many roles are filled before they’re posted, through networks and internal recommendations.

• Project-based work: Consulting, contract, or freelance roles can build credibility and open doors to full-time jobs.

• Skill adjacency: Even if a job isn’t a perfect fit, your skills may transfer in ways you haven’t considered.

Final Thought

Yes, this market is crowded. Yes, AI and mass layoffs make it even tougher. But here’s the reality: most applicants are only clicking “Apply.”

If you go further—by cultivating your network, building visibility in your field, and showing proof of your impact—you’ll dramatically increase your chances of not just being seen, but being remembered.

Your resume gets you in the door. Your relationships, reputation, and results are what carry you through it.

© 2025 Marya T. Mtshali. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the author.