The job market can feel overwhelming—whether you’ve just been laid off, are actively searching, or simply exploring what’s next. The good news? You have more tools and resources at your disposal than any job seeker in history. The key is knowing how to use them.
APC’s Loretta Byers, Recruiting Manager, and Jeff Nevez, Senior Recruiter with 25+ years of experience, recently sat down for Lunch with APC Recruiters—a new APC webinar series designed to give IT and engineering professionals direct, practical advice on moving their job search forward. Here’s what they shared.
Start With a Plan—Before You Start Applying
Before sending out a single resume, get clear on what you actually want. What industries are you targeting? What’s your salary range? Are you open to hybrid, remote, or on-site work?
Jumping straight to applications without a clear direction wastes time and leads to frustration. Know your parameters first—then execute.
Your Resume Still Matters. Make it Count
Many professionals haven’t touched their resume in years. If that’s you, now’s the time.
- Lead with a strong summary. Three to five sentences or bullets that sell who you are and what you bring. This is your first impression—make it count.
- Dedicate a section to technical skills and keywords. Recruiters and hiring systems are scanning for them.
- Own your accomplishments. List what you did—not what your team did. Add metrics wherever possible.
- Tailor it to each job. You don’t need to rewrite it every time, but tweak the summary and keywords to match the job description. Someone may be running your resume through a system before a human ever sees it.
- Proofread it twice. Typos have cost candidates interviews. Don’t let that be you.
- Length: 2–3 pages is ideal, but don’t cut relevant experience just to hit a number. Trim the irrelevant stuff—particularly roles from 20+ years ago that no longer apply.
Use AI to help draft and refine—but verify everything. AI makes mistakes, and a resume full of inaccuracies will hurt you.
LinkedIn is Not Optional
Recruiters search LinkedIn before they look at who’s applied to a job. If your profile isn’t up to date, you’re invisible.
Three things to do right now:
- Update your headline to reflect where you are and where you want to go.
- Turn on “Open to Work”—not necessarily the banner, but the setting that makes you visible to recruiters in search results. If it’s not on, many recruiters won’t reach out.
- Make sure your LinkedIn mirrors your resume. Discrepancies in dates or job history raise red flags and can get you passed over before you even get a call.
A strong LinkedIn summary matters just as much as your resume summary. It tells your story—and gives recruiters something to work with when presenting you to a hiring manager.
Networking is Still Your Biggest Advantage
Most people land jobs through who they know. Don’t underestimate that.
Reach out to former colleagues, managers, and industry contacts. Make a post on LinkedIn letting your network know you’re exploring opportunities. A simple “I’m looking for a new role—let me know if you hear of anything” can travel further than you think. One post shared 20 times by people who want to help you is worth more than 20 cold applications.
When you apply for a role, don’t stop there. Look through your connections to see if anyone works at that company. Follow the company’s recruiters on LinkedIn. Engage with their posts. Something as simple as “Great post—let’s connect” can put you on their radar before they ever see your resume.
Work with two or three recruiters you trust—and keep notes on where each one has submitted you. Double-submitting to the same role can take you out of consideration entirely.
Interview Prep is Non-Negotiable
Getting to the interview stage is a win. Don’t waste it.
- Research the company. Know their recent news, their business, their challenges. Hiring managers notice when you’ve done your homework.
- Use AI to prep. Ask ChatGPT for the 10 most common interview questions for your role. Practice your answers out loud before you walk in.
- Feed it the job description. Ask ChatGPT to generate three smart questions you could ask the hiring manager. Always have questions ready—it signals engagement and preparation.
- Answer with examples. When a manager asks how you’ve handled something, give a real story. Connect your experience directly to the question. Detail matters—just don’t ramble.
A Few Honest Answers to Common Questions
Are companies hiring remote workers?
Some roles are remote, but the majority right now are hybrid. On-site is also still common. Set your expectations accordingly.
Why haven’t I heard back from recruiters?
Sometimes it’s on us—if we’re waiting on a manager, communication slows down. Don’t hesitate to follow up with a quick email or text. We will respond.
How many jobs should I apply to each week?
The number matters less than the fit. Apply to roles where you’re genuinely qualified. If you’re not getting callbacks, revisit your resume—something isn’t translating.
Is the job market harder than it used to be?
It’s taking longer than it did a few years ago. Start your search earlier than you think you need to, and use every tool available.
At APC, we’re not just filling positions—we’re invested in helping professionals find roles where they can grow and make an impact. Visit jobs.apcinc.com to search open jobs or reach out to one of our recruiters directly.
For more helpful tips- Please connect with Loretta Byers or Jeff Nevez on LinkedIn.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorettabyers/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-nevez-a7b80612/
Join us next month for Lunch with APC Recruiters: How to make your LinkedIn Profile a Recruiter Magnet on June 23 at noon. Loretta Byers and Kori Losack will share practical tips to help your profile get noticed and attract the right opportunities. Whether you are actively job searching or just looking to strengthen your presence, this session will give you simple ways to stand out.
💡 The job market rewards preparation, persistence, and the people who show up ready. If that’s your approach, your next opportunity is already out there waiting.
Scott Roberts is an accomplished professional with an extensive background in operations and leadership roles within the professional staffing and workforce solutions industry. Currently serving as the Chief Operations Officer at Alliance of Professionals & Consultants, Inc. (APC), he brings over 17 years of experience steering organizations toward efficiency and success. In the realm of innovative thinking, Scott is actively shaping the trajectory of the future of work and redefining the operational landscape for businesses.