Whether you're looking for a new challenge or a bigger paycheck, the beginning of a new year is often a busy time for job seekers, HR reps, and hiring managers alike. Though the thought of starting a new role can be exciting, the job hunt itself can be a long and painful slog.
And if you don't know how to impress HR reps, recruiters, and hiring managers, your job hunt can be even more miserable than it needs to be (see: my entire 20s).
To find out what folks who hire people for a living are looking for in 2025, we asked the HR reps and managers of the BuzzFeed Community to share their tips, and they did not let us down. Here's what they had to say:
Remember that depending on your industry, you may want to take some of these tips with a grain of salt. Always stick to best practices and norms in your field, and look for a mentor like a former boss or colleague if you want more personalized advice.
1. Do make like Sabrina Carpenter and keep your résumé short and sweet.
"Make sure your résumé is no longer than two pages, no matter how many jobs you’ve had. And make sure everything is spelled correctly."
—Stacey, Business Office Manager
2. Don't hit send on your cover letter without making sure you've made any updates or edits that may be needed.
"I get recycled cover letters for other positions or even other companies far too often. I know it’s a hassle to update a cover letter, but it’s worth it. I never interview applicants who send in a cover letter for the wrong company or position because that tells me the applicant isn’t paying attention to details. If you, the applicant, don’t pay attention during the application process, how can I trust you will pay attention in the position?"
—Diane, Director
3. Don't spam every company in your town with your résumé.
"Be intentional in your application — don't just apply for every job at a company to hope something sticks. Always think about how you can position yourself to showcase what you can bring to the company, not just what the company can do for you."
—Julie, HR Generalist
Full article @ https://www.buzzfeed.com/meganeliscomb/job-search-tips-2025