7 Truths About Hiring in 2025 From Company Recruiters
Social impact job seekers have our own questions about the recruiting process
Good jobs are scarce. Competition is fierce. We need employment, but we also need work that aligns with our values.
Stephanie Mansueto asked her LinkedIn network what burning questions they had about the recruiting process, and the responses revealed something crucial: we're operating with incomplete information about how hiring actually works in 2025.
The questions ranged from practical ("Is AI screening my resume?") to painfully honest ("Why do recruiters suck at their jobs?").
Here's what you actually need to know.
Bonus: join us for an AMA on pivoting while parenting this Thursday Noon EST.
The AI Question Everyone's Asking
Yes, larger companies use Applicant Tracking Systems that score and rank applications based on keywords and employer relevancy. But most hiring teams know these systems are imperfect.
There's usually a real human reviewing your resume at some point.
However, keyword matching matters more than ever. You need to mirror the language in job postings. Look at roles you want and use those exact phrases liberally in your resume and LinkedIn profile.
If they say "stakeholder engagement," don't write "community outreach." If they want "program management," don't say "project coordination."
The solution is to speak their language.
Location Still Matters for "Remote" Jobs
Even when jobs are posted as remote, location can make or break your application. Many companies can only hire in states where they're registered to do business. Others prefer candidates in specific time zones so teams operate during the same hours.
Before applying, research the company's LinkedIn page.
If you see employees in your state, they can likely hire you there. If the entire corporate responsibility team is based in San Francisco while other staff are scattered, that department leader might want everyone in the same city.
Either way, always read the full job description.
The Truth About Family Foundation Jobs
These coveted, high-paying positions exist, but they're not posted publicly. You need to know where to look and who to follow.
Get familiar with wealth management and philanthropic advising companies: The Bridgespan Group, Geneva Global, National Philanthropic Trust, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, Arabella Advisors, Grant Philanthropic Advisors. Also target financial service companies with family wealth management divisions.
Network your way in rather than submitting cold applications. People at these organizations hire from their networks first.
Your Multi-Hat Experience Isn't the Problem
Many social impact professionals worry their nonprofit experience looks "entry-level" to corporate recruiters. This misses the point entirely.
The issue isn't that your experience is devalued. It's that you're not translating it effectively. When you describe "wearing all the hats" in a small nonprofit, focus on the strategic leadership it requires.
Don't list every responsibility. Instead, highlight key performance indicators and concrete outcomes.
Frame your community engagement work as "stakeholder management." Call your program development "strategic partnerships." Use the language that corporate environments recognize.
Networking In vs. Cold Applications
If you've been away from corporate work for a decade and want to return, cold applications won't work. Employers want relevant experience in the past 5-7 years.
Look for people at your target employers with similar skills and career trajectories. Request informational interviews. Be strategic about which organizations align with your previous work and relationships.
Did you get an interview from a cold application? Share your success in the comments!
Resume Length and LinkedIn Optimization
Keep resumes focused on the past 10 years unless earlier experience is directly relevant. For LinkedIn, use all 2,600 characters in your About section and adjust job titles to match what recruiters search for.
The algorithm favors text in your headline, job titles, and About section. Don't put every responsibility in your profile — focus on the most relevant ones with performance indicators.
You can optimize your LinkedIn profile with AI right now! This toolkit is free for paid Career Pivot subscribers.
Reference Checks Are Real
Yes, hiring teams do backdoor reference checks. They'll reach out to mutual connections and former colleagues not on your reference list. This is why maintaining professional relationships matters, even when you leave organizations.
Be strategic about who knows you're job searching. Make sure people who might be contacted have positive things to say about your work and character.
How to Engage With Recruiters
Message recruiters to notify them you applied, without asking for anything. This helps them prioritize your application if you're a good fit. Don't request informational interviews with recruiters; they're usually too busy and focused on immediate hiring needs.
If you're transitioning sectors, lead with your transferable relationships and expertise. Name-drop organizations and partners you can leverage immediately. Talk about stakeholder engagement experience and existing networks that can drive program delivery.
Key tip: if you get an automatic rejection, be sure to reply nicely to the human recruiter. There are many stories of ATS rejecting candidates that recruiters actually want to hire.
Keep Focused
The job market is tough, but it's not random. Understanding how recruiters and hiring teams actually operate gives you a strategic advantage.
Stop hoping your resume will speak for itself. Start speaking their language, networking strategically, and positioning your experience in terms they recognize and value.
We're not just looking for any job. We're looking for roles where we can make an impact while paying our bills. That requires playing the game smarter, not harder.
Join Pivoting Parents AMA on Thursday
Please join Kathleen Borgueta on Thursday to explore how she created Pivoting Parents to help herself and others like her survive parenting while pivoting. She’ll answer like this with honesty, clarity, and compassion—no spin, no toxic positivity:
Can I job search effectively with a baby at home?
What helped me stop spiraling and start moving forward?
What are Pivoting Parents up to and pivoting towards?
What should I know about the parents or caregivers in my life who are facing this job market?
Paying Career Pivot Subscribers can RSVP to this event below.