How to Job Search in 2025: Flipping the Script in the Age of AI

This past week, several more job seekers have reached out through our Proactive Talent contact form, mistaking us for a direct hiring or contingent search firm. They were hoping we could pitch them to hiring companies—for a fee.

It’s not unusual. In fact, we get at least half a dozen messages like this each week through our website contact form or chat. Sometimes, they even book time with me from the follow-up email that my CRM sends out, only to realize during the conversation that what they’re looking for—someone to network on their behalf or place them into a role—isn’t what we do. In fact, I built Proactive Talent to help end that model of hiring support, which I believe incentivizes the wrong behaviors and leads to negative outcomes for the employers (hoping to get free sourcing and talent market research) and candidates (overly sold into roles and companies that may not be an ultimate fit). The data shows the contingent search model, which focuses on headhunting candidates for a one-time fee, often contributes to negative outcomes for both companies and candidates.

Studies show that hires made through contingent fee-based agencies have lower retention rates than those made by in-house teams. In fact, retention rates for contingent hires are often 25-30% lower than in-house hires within the first year. This is because contingent agencies are incentivized to prioritize speed over quality, leading to mismatches in fit and a lack of long-term commitment to the candidate's success.

At first glance, these requests might seem misplaced, but they reveal a deeper frustration about today’s job market. The reality is that we’re navigating one of the longest declines in hiring for knowledge workers I’ve seen in my two decades in the industry. It’s a challenging, employer-driven market, and job seekers are understandably looking for any edge they can find.

That’s why I’m writing this guide—not just to say, “Sorry, we don’t do that,” but to share actionable, timely strategies to help you navigate your job search in 2025. Because, while we don’t introduce candidates to companies for a fee, we know a thing or two about hiring—and the tools, techniques, and strategies companies use to find top talent can also work for you.

So, let’s flip the script. Here’s how you can use similar technologies and approaches employers leverage to take control of your job search and stand out in today’s competitive market.

1. Flip the Job Search Funnel with AI Job Matching

How Employers Use AI:
Companies use AI to rank and match candidates against job descriptions, quickly identifying the best fits based on skills, keywords, and qualifications.

How You Can Flip the Script:

• Use AI Job Matching Tools: Platforms like JobRight.ai analyze your resume and serve up recommended roles, stack ranking them based on how strong of a match they are to your skills and experience.

• Tailor Your Resume: JobRight.ai also provides actionable tips for optimizing your resume, ensuring it aligns with the roles you’re targeting.

• Strategize Your Applications: Instead of mass applying to dozens of jobs, use tools like this to focus on roles where your skills align best. Take it a step further by finding out who you’re connected to on LinkedIn at the company, and use AI insights to craft applications that truly showcase your experience.

Advanced Prompting Tip:

• When using AI like ChatGPT to craft outreach messages, prompt with specific context. Example:

  "Draft a LinkedIn message to a recruiter at [Company Name] about their open [Job Title] role. Mention we have a mutual connection, [Name], and express why I’m excited about the position."

• Advanced Prompting Examples:

  • Customizing Job Search Criteria:
    “Analyze my resume (paste resume here) and suggest job titles I should look for based on my skills and experience.”
    “What are 10 potential job titles in the tech industry that match the skills listed in my resume?”

  • Tailoring Applications:
    “Based on this job description (paste job description here), what are three key areas I should emphasize in my resume?”
    “Create a bullet-point summary of my experience that aligns with the requirements of this job description (paste job description here).”

  • Networking Tip Prompt:
    “Generate a LinkedIn message to someone who works at [Company Name], mentioning that we both worked in [Industry/Role] and expressing my interest in learning more about their work.”

   

Why It Works:
AI job matching flips the funnel, letting you proactively identify and pursue jobs that are the best fit for your experience. This mirrors the way employers use their ATS (Applicant Tracking System) to filter candidates and focus on the top matches. Now, you can use similar technology to find roles tailored for you.

2. Optimize Your Resume Like Employers Optimize Job Descriptions

How Employers Use AI:
Hiring teams use AI to enhance job descriptions with targeted keywords that attract the right candidates.

How You Can Flip the Script:

• AI Resume Tools: Beyond JobRight.ai, tools like Jobscan or Resume.io can help you analyze your resume against job descriptions and offer keyword optimization suggestions.

• Actionable Steps:

  1. Simplify formatting—no graphics, columns, or fancy fonts that might confuse ATS.

  2. Highlight measurable achievements with data (e.g., “Reduced onboarding time by 20%,” not just “Managed onboarding”).

  3. Include job-specific keywords to improve your match rate with ATS filters.

Advanced Prompting Tip:

• Use prompts like:
  

  "Analyze the job description for [Job Title] at [Company] and identify keywords that I should include in my resume."

  "Compare my resume (paste resume here) to this job description (paste job description here) and suggest improvements for better keyword alignment."

Why It Works:
Employers optimize job descriptions for better ATS filtering, and you can do the same for your resume. Optimizing your resume ensures that it’s prioritized when being compared against job postings.

3. Personalize Networking and Follow-Ups Like Employers Personalize Candidate Engagement

How Employers Use AI:
Recruiters use AI to craft personalized outreach messages and build relationships with potential candidates. This personalization is built into popular sourcing tools like HireEZ, Entelo, and LinkedIn Recruiter.

How You Can Flip the Script:

• Networking Outreach: Use tools like ChatGPT to draft professional, personalized messages to recruiters, hiring managers, or industry contacts.

  • Example Prompt:
    

    “Draft a LinkedIn message to a recruiter at [Company Name] expressing interest in their open [Job Title] role. Mention their recent post about [Topic] and explain why I’m excited about the opportunity.”

• Thank You Notes: Craft thoughtful follow-ups after interviews or informational meetings. Reference specific moments from your conversation to show genuine interest and attention to detail.

  • Example:
    “I really appreciated hearing about [specific project or initiative]. It aligns closely with my experience in [relevant area].”

• Pro Tip: Share examples of your writing with ChatGPT, then ask it to learn your "voice and tone" to save time when drafting messages. Add tone indicators like "casual" or "professional" to fine-tune the output to match your style.

Advanced Prompting Examples:

• Networking Outreach:
  “Draft a LinkedIn connection request to a hiring manager at [Company Name] that references their recent post about [Topic] and expresses interest in connecting.”

  “Create a message to a mutual connection asking for an introduction to [Recruiter/Hiring Manager Name] at [Company Name]. Mention our shared background in [Industry].”

  Thank You Note Personalization:
  

  “Draft a thank you note after an interview where I discussed [specific project or topic]. Mention why I’m excited about [specific aspect of the role].”

  “Write a follow-up email after an informational interview with [Name], focusing on their advice about [specific topic].”

• Editing for Tone:
  “Here’s my draft thank you message (paste message here). Make it sound more conversational and enthusiastic.”

  “Rewrite this LinkedIn message to sound more professional but still warm and approachable: (paste message here).”

Why It Works:
Personalization shows effort and authenticity, two traits that are critical in today’s market. Using AI smartly allows you to quickly produce tailored, high-quality outreach without sacrificing a human touch.

4. Prepare for Interviews Like Employers Assess Candidates

How Employers Use AI:
Employers use AI-driven platforms to evaluate candidates, sometimes assessing responses to behavioral or technical questions.

How You Can Flip the Script:

• Mock Interviews: Use tools like Yoodli or Interviewer.AI to practice and receive feedback on your interview performance.

• AI for Prep: Use ChatGPT to generate interview questions tailored to the job you’re applying for.

  • Example Prompt:
    “Generate 10 interview questions for a product manager role focused on cross-functional collaboration and leadership.”

• Record Yourself: Practice recording your responses to improve your tone, pacing, and non-verbal cues.

Advanced Prompting Examples:

• Mock Interview Questions:
  “Generate 10 behavioral interview questions for a [specific role] that focus on leadership, adaptability, and problem-solving.”

  “Create a list of 5 technical questions for a software engineer interview focusing on backend development and scalability.”

• Ideal Responses Practice:
  “Provide an ideal response for the interview question: 'Tell me about a time you faced a major challenge at work and how you overcame it.'”

  “How should I answer the question, 'Why do you want to work here?' if the company’s focus is on sustainability and innovation?”

• Follow-Up Prompts:
  “Generate follow-up questions to ask after a technical interview for a data analyst role.”

  “Suggest a few questions I can ask the interviewer at the end of an interview to demonstrate my interest in the company culture.”

Why It Works:
Practicing with the same rigor that employers use to assess candidates helps build confidence and readiness for any format, whether behavioral, technical, or asynchronous video interviews.

5. Upskill Strategically Like Employers Reskill Their Teams

How Employers Use AI:
Organizations use AI to pinpoint skill gaps within their workforce and recommend tailored learning paths to address them.

How You Can Flip the Script:

• Identify Skill Gaps: Use platforms like LinkedIn Learning and Coursera to identify skills that are trending in your industry and align with your goals.

• Leverage AI Tools: Familiarize yourself with relevant AI applications in your field, positioning yourself as someone who is up-to-date with cutting-edge tools.

• Focus on Business Judgment: As I’ve shared in a recent Linkedin article, we’re shifting from a "Knowledge Economy" to a "Business Judgment Economy." Employers value candidates who can not only acquire knowledge but apply it strategically to solve real-world problems.

Advanced Prompting Tip:

• Ask ChatGPT, “What are the top skills for a [specific role] in 2025?” Use the output to guide your learning and identify areas of improvement.

Advanced Prompting Examples:

• Identify Trending Skills:
  “What are the top 5 skills currently in demand for [specific role, e.g., data analysts] in 2025?”

  “Analyze job postings for [specific industry] and list the key skills that are commonly required.”

• Learning Path Guidance:
  “Suggest a learning path for me to transition from a [current role] to a [desired role]. List online courses and certifications that are relevant.”

  “What courses on LinkedIn Learning would be most valuable for someone looking to improve project management skills in an agile environment?”

• AI Application in Field:
  “Explain how AI is being applied in [specific industry or role]. Suggest a few resources where I can learn more about using AI in my job.”

  “How can I use generative AI tools like ChatGPT to improve my skills as a content marketer?”

Why It Works:
Upskilling demonstrates adaptability and positions you as a forward-thinking candidate. Employers are increasingly looking for candidates who take charge of their professional development.

6. Build a Digital-First Personal Brand Like Employers Build Their Employer Brands

How Employers Use AI:
Companies create compelling employer brands with the help of AI-driven content and personalization to attract the best talent.

How You Can Flip the Script:

• Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile: Use LinkedIn’s AI features to enhance your headline, summary, and featured sections.

• Share Your Story: Regularly post about industry trends, your projects, or insights. Establish thought leadership by writing about lessons you’ve learned and challenges you’ve overcome.

• Engage Authentically: Comment on industry leaders’ posts and share valuable insights to build genuine connections.

Advanced Prompting Tip:

• When writing LinkedIn posts, use prompts like:
  

  "Help me write a LinkedIn post about my experience leading a product launch, focusing on the challenges we overcame and the impact on the team."

Advanced Prompting Examples:

• LinkedIn Profile Optimization:
  “Rewrite my LinkedIn headline to reflect my skills in [specific area] and my interest in [specific industry].”

  “Suggest keywords to include in my LinkedIn summary to attract recruiters looking for [specific type of professional, e.g., digital marketing manager].”

• Content Creation for Thought Leadership:
  “Draft a LinkedIn post about a recent project I worked on, focusing on the challenges we faced and the impact we had. Mention [specific key learnings].”

  “Create an outline for an article on how AI is changing the future of talent acquisition. Target it towards HR professionals.”

• Engaging Authentically:
  “Generate three thoughtful comments I can make on a LinkedIn post about the benefits of remote work.”

  “Suggest an engaging question I could ask my LinkedIn network to start a discussion about the skills needed in the AI-driven economy.”

Why It Works:
A strong personal brand helps you stand out before even applying. Employers notice candidates who actively contribute to their industry, share insights, and show a clear passion for their work.

Final Thoughts: Take Control in an Employer-Driven Market

The job market in 2025 demands creativity, adaptability, and a willingness to embrace new technology. The best part? You can leverage the same AI tools and strategies employers use to take control of your career journey. The examples above will help you prompt like an AI engineering pro—turning AI into a valuable ally as you navigate the job market.

Remember, standing out takes more than just effort; it takes smart strategy. By learning how to use these tools effectively, you’ll be better prepared to showcase your skills, optimize your outreach, and ultimately, find the right opportunity.

If you found this guide useful, feel free to share it with others or subscribe to the Proactive Talent Newsletter for more insights and updates. Let’s take control of this evolving job market—together.