I'm a career coach, and the job market right now is a dumpster fire. Applying for jobs should be the last step in your job hunt process.
A decade ago, most of my clients requested résumé writing support, and I'd take them through a pretty simple, plug-and-play process for a very straightforward market. Now, the market is a dumpster fire.
In recent years, AI has replaced jobs, companies are offshoring or going leaner, and mass layoffs in the public sector are sending thousands into the private sector. There are simply more people competing for even fewer jobs.
Many people who would've gotten scooped up in a second a few years ago are getting completely passed up. Here's my advice to people navigating the 2025 job market.
Applying for jobs should be the last step in the job hunt process
The people I see struggling are the "jack of all trades" people who aren't clear on what they want and try to fit themselves and their résumé into any job. It's important to get crystal clear on your target companies and job titles, and tell a consistent story across your résumé and LinkedIn.
Before building your résumé, gather a few interesting job descriptions that match your desired job title, pull out the keywords and phrases used to describe the ideal candidate, and speak directly to those points. You can even plop those keywords directly into your LinkedIn headline, skills list, and within the bullet points on your résumé.
For example, if "cross-functional collaboration" is an important skill a company is seeking, write a bullet point that clearly states how you've utilized cross-functional collaboration in a past role.
Network before you apply to a job to improve your chances
I'd rather job seekers send out 100 networking messages than 100 job applications.
While applicant pools have gotten larger, recruiter teams have gotten smaller, meaning many recruiters are absolutely overwhelmed. The people I see getting through the application phase are those with a referral, those working with a recruiter, or those who apply within the first few hours of the job being posted.
Networking is particularly important for people who are pivoting careers or are newer to the workforce.
Tips on how to build connections that can lead to landing a job
If you're doing a cold reach out, find people with whom you have something in common — whether they live in your area, went to the same college, or volunteer for the same organization. You can use filters on LinkedIn to locate people by location, school, organizations, etc.
Rather than reaching out with a vague request for a 15-minute chat, which is easy to ignore or pass on, ask a specific question like "I see you got your PMP certification. I'm thinking of that. Would you recommend it?" From there, you can work on building a connection and, depending on the person, ask for a referral.
I see a lot of people just reaching out to colleagues or folks in their industry. Don't forget the people in your life who are natural-born connectors or know a lot of people. This could be real estate agents, hairdressers, fundraisers, and community leaders. This is where I see the good stuff happening.
LinkedIn needs to become your new best friend
LinkedIn rewards two primary activities: sharing knowledge and engaging. Posting original content can be great for solidifying your personal brand, but don't forget about commenting.
Commenting is a low-stakes way to become more active on the platform, get your name out there, and get the algorithm warmed up.
I recommend making a spreadsheet of VIPs in your personal field, checking out their activity, and commenting where they comment. Or, if someone replies to your comment, connect with them and send a message saying "thanks for that thoughtful comment. I'm looking to expand my network."
Taking time off from job searching can be helpful
I see so many people sad, defeated, and fearful that they'll never work again. I want people to know that it's not them, it's this competitive market.
I know the job search can be soul-crushing, so I'm a huge advocate for taking time off. Whether that's the weekend or just an afternoon to do something that makes you feel good, I think it's important to find time for yourself.
The market is always swinging on a pendulum, so I'm hopeful that it will recover soon.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
41 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Microsoft Corp (MSFT) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Record Revenue and Cloud Growth Propel ...
Total Revenue: $281 billion, up 15% year over year. Operating Income: Over $128 billion, up 17% year over year. Q4 Revenue: $76.4 billion, up 18%. Q4 Earnings Per Share (EPS): $3.65, an increase of 24%. Microsoft Cloud Revenue: $46.7 billion, up 27%. Azure Revenue: $75 billion annually, up 34%. Commercial Bookings: Over $100 billion, increasing 37%. Commercial Remaining Performance Obligation: $368 billion, up 37%. Productivity and Business Processes Revenue: $33.1 billion, up 16%. Intelligent Cloud Revenue: $29.9 billion, up 26%. More Personal Computing Revenue: $13.5 billion, up 9%. Free Cash Flow: $25.6 billion. Cash Returned to Shareholders: $9.4 billion this quarter, over $37 billion for the fiscal year. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 7 Warning Sign with MSFT. Release Date: July 30, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Positive Points Microsoft Cloud surpassed $168 billion in annual revenue, up 23%, showcasing strong growth in cloud services. Azure achieved $75 billion in annual revenue, up 34%, driven by growth across all workloads and leading the AI infrastructure wave. Microsoft 365 Copilot adoption is accelerating, with significant seat additions and strong usage intensity. LinkedIn continues to grow with 1.2 billion members and four consecutive years of double-digit member growth. Gaming revenue increased by 10%, with Xbox content and services revenue up 13%, driven by successful game launches and Xbox Game Pass growth. Negative Points Microsoft Cloud gross margin percentage decreased by 2 points year over year due to scaling AI infrastructure. On-premises server business revenue decreased by 2%, reflecting a shift to cloud offerings. Talent Solutions on LinkedIn continues to be impacted by weakness in the hiring market. Despite strong demand, Azure remains capacity-constrained, indicating potential challenges in meeting customer needs. Operating expenses increased by 6%, reflecting ongoing investments in AI and cloud infrastructure. Q & A Highlights Q: How does Microsoft manage the risk versus reward with emerging AI startups that could become competitors? A: Satya Nadella, CEO, explained that this situation is not new and likened it to past experiences with companies like Netflix and Amazon. He emphasized that having major AI workloads on Azure allows Microsoft to learn and optimize the platform faster. The focus is on shaping the platform with these head apps and ensuring broad diffusion across various applications. Q: What is the best way for software companies to monetize AI for SaaS, and how should we think about the trajectory of SaaS AI margins? A: Satya Nadella, CEO, noted that the transition to AI is similar to the server-to-cloud transition, where usage expands significantly. He highlighted that SaaS apps are integrating agentic and chat interfaces, leading to increased usage. Amy Hood, CFO, added that monetization models will blend per-user logic with consumption models, adapting as AI capabilities grow. Q: What are the catalysts driving the acceleration in on-prem to Azure migration, and how durable is this trend? A: Satya Nadella, CEO, identified three main drivers: migrations of existing workloads like SAP, scaling of cloud-native applications, and new AI workloads. He emphasized that these factors are building on each other and contributing to Azure's growth. Q: Was there anything surprising about the quarter's performance? A: Satya Nadella, CEO, mentioned that the rapid development of sophisticated applications on the platform was notable. He highlighted the maturity of the stack and the speed at which robust applications are being built, which is faster than previous technological shifts. Q: How does Microsoft plan to manage CapEx in relation to Azure growth, especially with the increasing demand for AI infrastructure? A: Amy Hood, CFO, explained that CapEx is aligned with the $368 billion contracted backlog and the demand curve. She emphasized the focus on building capacity to meet demand and the importance of software optimization in maximizing hardware efficiency. Satya Nadella, CEO, added that software plays a crucial role in enhancing hardware performance, contributing to long-term growth. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Why Microsoft Stock Hit an All-Time High Today, Topping $4 Trillion for the First Time
Key Points Microsoft beat estimates on the top and bottom lines. It's seeing strong growth across all three of its business segments. AI-related demand remains strong. 10 stocks we like better than Microsoft › Shares of Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) were moving higher today as the tech giant delivered a strong fiscal fourth-quarter earnings report across the board. The results were driven by growth in all three of its core business segments, and particular strength in its Azure cloud infrastructure segment, a sign that its artificial intelligence (AI) strategy is paying off. As of 9:49 a.m. ET, the stock was up 5.2%, topping $4 trillion in market cap for the first time. The AI boom continues Overall revenue in the quarter was up 18% to $76.4 billion, which topped expectations at $73.8 billion. Growth was well balanced. Revenue from productivity and business process, which includes the Microsoft 365 Office suite, was up 16% to $33.1 billion. Intelligent cloud, which includes Azure, posted 26% revenue growth to $29.9 billion, and more personal computing, which includes Windows, rose 9% to $13.5 billion. In addition to strong growth in enterprise software and AI-focused products, Microsoft's consumer-focused franchises also did well with Xbox revenue up 13% and LinkedIn revenue up 9%. Search and news advertising revenue grew 20%, outperforming Google, though Microsoft's search business is much smaller. Microsoft's margins continued to scale up with operating income growing 23% to $34.3 billion, and earnings per share up 24% to $3.65, ahead of the consensus at $3.38. CEO Satya Nadella said, "Cloud and AI is the driving force of business transformation across every industry and sector. We're innovating across the tech stack to help customers adapt and grow in this new era, and this year, Azure surpassed $75 billion in revenue, up 34%, driven by growth across all workloads." Can anything stop Microsoft? Compared to its big tech peers, Microsoft benefits from having an unmatched level of diversification in its business, ranging from enterprise software to cloud infrastructure to Windows to consumer products, including devices and social media through LinkedIn. That's given Microsoft an edge in leveraging its investments in AI as it can deploy the technology across a broad range of products. The company says it expects revenue to grow double digits in fiscal 2026, and it sees strong growth continuing in its cloud business. Microsoft stock trades at a premium, but the recent results show why. The company remains in the driver's seat as the AI era advances and looks poised for further gains. Do the experts think Microsoft is a buy right now? The Motley Fool's expert analyst team, drawing on years of investing experience and deep analysis of thousands of stocks, leverages our proprietary Moneyball AI investing database to uncover top opportunities. They've just revealed their to buy now — did Microsoft make the list? When our Stock Advisor analyst team has a stock recommendation, it can pay to listen. After all, Stock Advisor's total average return is up 1,049% vs. just 182% for the S&P — that is beating the market by 867.25%!* Imagine if you were a Stock Advisor member when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $638,629!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,098,838!* The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of July 29, 2025 Jeremy Bowman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Microsoft. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Why Microsoft Stock Hit an All-Time High Today, Topping $4 Trillion for the First Time was originally published by The Motley Fool Sign in to access your portfolio
Time Business News
3 hours ago
- Time Business News
How to market your business in Dubai
Dubai is a city that thrives on ambition. With its fast-paced economy, world-class infrastructure, and access to global markets, it has become a magnet for entrepreneurs and corporations alike. But opportunity alone doesn't guarantee success. In a city where competition is fierce and attention is limited, marketing is not simply a business function, it is a critical driver of growth. Whether you're entering the market or scaling a business already in motion, here are key strategies to market your company effectively in one of the world's most dynamic commercial environments. Dubai's population is as diverse as its skyline. More than 80% of the city's residents are expatriates, spanning Europe, South Asia, Africa, and the Americas. This diversity creates both an opportunity and a challenge for marketers: how do you craft messages that resonate across cultural, linguistic, and behavioral lines? The answer lies in segmentation. Businesses that succeed in Dubai don't try to appeal to everyone. Instead, they define clear target audiences, corporate buyers, Emirati families, Gen Z consumers, or niche industry professionals, and tailor their messaging accordingly. Cultural relevance is key, and understanding customer motivations is non-negotiable. For example, a campaign targeting Emirati consumers may emphasize heritage, family, and prestige, while one directed at younger expats might lean into innovation, convenience, and digital accessibility. Research, testing, and local insight are essential. In this city, assumptions are expensive. In a city where smartphone penetration is near-universal and social media usage is among the highest in the world, your digital presence is often the first, and sometimes only, interaction customers will have with your brand. A professional website, optimized for both mobile and search engines, is your foundation. It should communicate your value proposition clearly and build trust through design, functionality, and transparency. Arabic and English versions are standard; offering additional language support can be a differentiator depending on your target market. Social media is where brand personalities are forged and customer relationships are maintained. Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube all play influential roles, depending on your audience. Visual storytelling, educational content, and influencer collaborations often outperform traditional sales messaging. In B2B sectors, thought leadership on LinkedIn remains a powerful positioning tool. Paid digital advertising, Google Ads, Meta platforms, and local programmatic networks, can offer precision targeting. But effectiveness comes down to localization: the right message, delivered to the right person, at the right time. Dubai may be modern and fast-moving, but business relationships are still rooted in trust, reputation, and personal networks. In this environment, word-of-mouth remains one of the most powerful, and elusive, forms of marketing. The best way to generate referrals is to show up where your audience is, both digitally and physically. Attend local trade shows, industry summits, and networking events. Join business councils and professional associations. These forums are not just for making contacts; they are where reputations are built and deals are born. Partnerships with complementary businesses can also open doors. A wellness brand might partner with a luxury hotel; a fintech firm with a regional bank. These collaborations lend credibility and introduce your brand to new circles. Influencer marketing, while often associated with fashion or beauty, is also effective in sectors like real estate, tech, and dining. But authenticity is key. Savvy Dubai audiences can spot paid promotions from a mile away, partner with voices that align with your brand values. Marketing in Dubai requires cultural and seasonal intelligence. Consumer behavior changes dramatically during Ramadan, Eid, school holidays, and key retail periods like Dubai Shopping Festival and National Day. Businesses that plan campaigns around these moments are often rewarded with higher engagement and relevance. Ramadan, for instance, is a time of reflection, generosity, and adjusted daily routines. Successful brands soften their tone, adapt their visuals, and focus on family and community during this period. Meanwhile, Q4 often sees spikes in B2C spending, particularly in retail, real estate, and hospitality. Additionally, Dubai is a city of events, Expo City Dubai, GITEX, Art Dubai, and countless niche conferences. Aligning your brand with the right events can offer unmatched exposure and access to high-value audiences. Timing also applies to media buying and campaign planning. When you launch may be just as important as what you launch. Dubai South Business Hub is created for those ready to start, build, and progress from aspiration to accomplishment. Whether you are launching something brand new or scaling what you have already started, this is where ideas find momentum. Smartly positioned in the heart of Dubai South, the Hub offers more than business licenses. It provides access to tools, insights, and a supportive community designed to move founders forward. With a focus on removing friction and accelerating growth, Dubai South Business Hub empowers entrepreneurs to define their own path, backed by a network that values trust, resilience, and the courage to begin. This is where ambition meets execution, and where business truly takes off. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
