3 Ways to Take Advantage of Quiet Hiring in 2025
If you're job searching right now and feeling like your applications are going into a black hole, you’re not alone. We've officially entered a quiet hiring era.
What does that mean for you? It means the old way of finding a job (endlessly submitting applications on job boards) is becoming less and less effective. And if you don't adapt your strategy right now, you're going to be left behind.
Let me explain what's happening and, more importantly, give you three concrete actions you can take today to use this situation to your advantage.
What Is Quiet Hiring? (And Why Should You Care)
Quiet hiring happens when the job market gets flooded with candidates. Companies stop publicly posting jobs on job boards because they literally can't handle the volume. I'm talking 10,000+ applicants for a single position. It overwhelms their systems and their recruiting teams.
So what do they do instead? They go shopping. And by shopping, I mean they proactively search for candidates, primarily on LinkedIn, and reach out directly to people who fit their needs. This way, they control who sees the opportunity and how many people they're talking to.
Here's the bottom line: In the quiet hiring era, it's not about who you know. It's about who knows you. You need to get visible, and you need to do it strategically.
Strategy #1: Turn on the RIGHT LinkedIn Setting
First things first, go into your LinkedIn settings and turn on the option that lets recruiters know you're open to opportunities. But here's the catch: I'm NOT telling you to turn on that big green "Open to Work" banner.
That banner can actually work against you. It can make you look desperate, and some hiring managers interpret it as a red flag.
Instead, there's a separate setting that discreetly notifies recruiters that you're available. It's more subtle, more professional, and it puts you on their radar without broadcasting your job search to your current employer or network. This is the setting you want turned on. Learn how to turn this setting on for recruiters only HERE.
Strategy #2: Follow Your Target Companies
Next, I want you to make a list of companies that hire for your skill set. Think about organizations you've always wanted to work for, or companies where you've seen relevant job postings in the past (even if they're not hiring right now).
Then, go follow them on LinkedIn.
Why does this matter? When you follow a company on LinkedIn, you're creating a connection that the platform's algorithm recognizes. This makes you rank higher in search results when recruiters from those companies are looking for candidates with your background.
It's such a simple action, but it's incredibly powerful. You're essentially raising your hand and saying, "Hey, I'm interested in you"—and LinkedIn makes sure they notice.
Strategy #3: Optimize Your LinkedIn Feed (This Is the Game-Changer)
This third strategy is hands-down the most important, so please pay attention.
LinkedIn recently did a major algorithm update, and it has created a massive opportunity for job seekers. It means that anyone, whether you've been active on LinkedIn for years or you're just getting started, can game the system to get visible.
Here's what you need to do: start putting very specific content in your LinkedIn feed related to your skills and industry. I'm talking about posts, comments, and engagement that showcase your expertise.
When you do this consistently, that content becomes searchable by recruiters. This is how they surface your profile during the quiet hiring phase. They're not just looking at your profile anymore; they're looking at what you're saying, what you're engaging with, and how you're positioning yourself as an expert in your field.
If you're not doing this, you're invisible. But if you are doing this? You become the person they want to reach out to.
Don't Sleep on This Opportunity
Look, I know the job market is tough right now. But understanding how quiet hiring works—and taking these three strategic actions—can completely change your results.
Companies are still hiring. They're just doing it differently. And if you position yourself correctly, you can be the candidate they find and pursue, rather than one of thousands screaming into the void of online applications.
If you want to speed up your effectiveness during this quiet hiring phase, I've got something special for you. I put together the LinkedIn 1-Hour Fast Fix. It’s a comprehensive video resource that walks you through, step by step, everything you need to do to optimize your LinkedIn profile and get visible to recruiters. It's just $19 for unlimited access, and it could be the best investment you make in your job search this year.
Don't wait on this. The quiet hiring era is here, and the job seekers who adapt fastest are the ones who are going to land the best opportunities.
Go get ‘em!
J.T. O’Donnell
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