How to Stand Out in the 2025 Job Market (Without “3+ YOE”)

The fresher’s playbook recruiters don’t talk about.

Author

Jyoti Bhasin
May 23, 2025

Edition #04 -May 23, 2025

Namaste job seekers🙏

I remember my early LinkedIn days.

Every post felt like shouting into the void. Every application felt like a lottery. No replies. No feedback. Just silence.

If that’s you right now, I see you.
Let’s fix that.

Here is what I have for you today:

 ✅ Improve your cold outreach
 ✅ Get real about jobs in AI & tech
 ✅ Use startup signals to find roles early
 ✅ Apply to 10+ underrated jobs (handpicked below)

Let’s get into it 👇

❓ Why You’re Not Getting Replies

Let’s be brutally honest. Most people are still:

  • Sending one-click “Easy Apply” without customization

  • Writing resumes like they’re still in 2015

  • Expecting recruiters to figure out how they’re useful

And in 2025, that just won’t work.

Here’s what works instead:

🛠️ Value-first Resume (not just duties)
Instead of:

"Worked on the company website"
Write:
"Revamped homepage in React, improving load time by 40% and increasing form conversions by 12%."

📥 Bonus: Remove graduation year if you're being age/gap-filtered. Yes, it helps.

👀 AI is also screening your resume
Use tools like:

  • Jobalytics (for JD-match feedback)

  • Teal or Rezi (for formatting)

  • ChatGPT (yes 😄) for rewriting impact statements

💬 Cold DM Format That Works

Don't just say “Hi, can you refer me?” — it doesn’t work. Here’s a simple, respectful message format:

Hi [Name],

I came across your profile while learning about [Company Name], and I admire your work in [specific project or domain].

I’m actively looking for [Role Name] opportunities and have worked on [brief relevant experience or project].

If your team is hiring, I’d be grateful for any referral or direction you can share 🙏

Here's my resume/portfolio: [Link]

Thanks so much,
[Your Name]

🎯 This message has- clarity & value. That’s the key.

📢 AI x Job Trend You Need To Know

The fastest growing roles in 2025:

  1. Prompt Engineer → GPT-4.5, Claude 3, open-source LLMs

  2. AI Research Ops → Supporting teams building AI systems

  3. Agent Architect → Yes, people who build AI workflows with tools like AutoGen & CrewAI

  4. RAG Dev → Retrieval Augmented Generation for internal knowledge bases

  5. AI Product Interns → Not technical? Work with AI teams as PMs or Growth operators

🎓 Many startups nowadays say— “We don’t need degrees. Show us what you’ve shipped.”

🧪 Startup Signals — Where to Look

How to know if a startup is hiring (before they post it):

  • They just raised a round (check on TechCrunch, Twitter/X, or Tracxn)

  • Founders posting “We’re building our early team” on LinkedIn

  • They joined an accelerator (YC, 100X.VC, Antler, etc.)

✨ Pro tip: Comment with value on their posts. Make them curious about YOU. Then DM.

📌 Handpicked Openings You Should Check Out

Lokal – Backend Intern
 📍 Remote | 0–2 YOE
Stipend: ₹3–4 LPA (Expected)
 🔗 Apply here »

💼 FULL-TIME TECH JOBS (0–2 YOE Friendly)

Danfoss – Software Engineer (Software)
 📍 Pune | 0–4 YOE
₹5–10 LPA
 🔗 Apply here »

Zowork – Associate Software Engineer
 📍 Remote | 0–2 YOE
₹5–10 LPA
 🔗 Apply here »

Kobie – Associate Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET)
 📍 Remote | 0–2 YOE
₹6–12 LPA
 🔗 Apply here »

GE Vernova – Graduate Engineer Trainee
 📍 Chennai | 2021–2025
₹5 LPA (Expected)
 🔗 Apply here »

SAFE – SDE I
 📍 Bengaluru | 2021–2024
 🔗 Apply here »

GoodScore – Frontend Developer
 📍 Bengaluru | 2023–2024
 🔗 Apply here »

Philips – Software Engineer I (Java)
 📍 Bangalore | Java Required
 🔗 Apply here »

Goldman Sachs – Analyst, Software Engineer
 📍 Bangalore | 2022–2024
 🔗 Apply here »

🛠️ Action Plan (Weekend Sprint)

Here's a 48-hour weekend challenge for you:

 ✅ Tailor your resume for ONE AI/startup job
 ✅ Send 2 cold DMs using the format above
 ✅ Build 1 short project or case study in Notion or Framer
 ✅ Comment on 3 founder/startup posts on X/LinkedIn
 ✅ Join at least one job-focused Discord server (try Indie Worldwide or buildspace)

🧠 Reminder:
Don't just hunt jobs — build visibility. People hire those they can see.

🙏 Aapka feedback makes this better — reply and tell me what you loved or want more of!

Until next time,
– TechUprise