The job market is broken. Applying online feels like throwing your resume into a black hole. But what if you knew exactly what the person on the other side of the screen was looking for?

In this episode, we sit down with Melissa Grabiner, a Global HR Leader and one of the Top 1% Career Coaches in the World (ranked by Topmate). With over 350,000+ followers on LinkedIn, Melissa has seen every resume mistake, every interview blunder, and every "hiring freeze" myth there is.

This isn't generic "fix your font size" advice. Melissa reveals the insider secrets of Talent Acquisition: Why you MUST DM recruiters after applying (and exactly what to say), why "Resume Quantifiers" are non-negotiable, and how to build a LinkedIn presence that makes jobs come to you—so you don't have to wait to be laid off to start networking.

If you are a student struggling to land your first internship, or a professional navigating a mid-career pivot in a recession, this conversation is your cheat sheet to beating the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and getting hired.

🚀 In this video, we cover:• The "Black Hole" Fix: Why you should NEVER just "Easy Apply" and walk away.• Resume Autopsy: The difference between a "good" resume and a "hired" resume.• The Cold DM Strategy: How to slide into a Recruiter's DMs without being annoying.• LinkedIn Optimization: Turning your profile into a 24/7 lead magnet for recruiters.• Red Flags: When to refuse "Free Work" assignments during interview processes.• Ageism & Gaps: How to handle the uncomfortable truths of the job market.

🔗 Connect with Melissa:• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-grabiner/• Book a 1:1 Session: https://topmate.io/melissagrabiner

About the Podcast:We explore the real stories behind high-agency individuals—from HR leaders to entrepreneurs—who are just a few steps ahead in the journey. We don't sell you "lottery ticket" success stories; we show you the practical first steps so you can find your own way forward.

#CareerCoach #MelissaGrabiner #JobSearchTips #ResumeTips #LinkedInGrowth #RecruitingSecrets #HiringTrends #InterviewPrep #Layoffs #CareerAdvice #HRInsider #JobMarket2025

Timestamps:

(00:00) Background & introduction(02:03) Recruiting is an underrated profession?(04:06) What do recruiters look for in resumes?(07:53) Resume length and structure - acceptable vs questionable(10:23) Should every experience resume bullet have a quantifier?(14:03) Resume structures for freshers / more than 2 years of work experience(16:52) ALWAYS reach out to the recruiter after applying online(21:30) DON’T wait to be laid-off to optimize your LinkedIn(23:12) How to actually optimize your LinkedIn(25:59) Building a STRONG presence on LinkedIn(29:45) Networking & Referrals via LinkedIn(32:13) Cold DMs/emails WORK!!!(35:04) On the current job market(37:05) FAQs and common pitfalls faced by job seekers (on Topmate)(41:35) Crushing job interviews(43:49) On (not) doing unpaid labor in the name of job applications(46:22) Outro + Gratitude