52% of job seekers say they’re not getting interview calls despite relevant experience – TeamLease Survey, 2025

In 2025, even with the right skills, qualifications, and experience, job seekers across India are facing an uphill battle in landing interviews. What’s going wrong? The culprit lies in an inefficient job market that heavily relies on outdated platforms, overwhelming competition, and the growing influence of referrals. Let’s break down the challenges and how you can bypass them to get noticed.

The Platform Inefficiency Dilemma

For many, job portals have become a double-edged sword. While platforms like Naukri, LinkedIn, and Indeed provide a vast pool of job listings, they are also notoriously crowded. Every application is buried in a sea of candidates, with many resumes never even making it to a recruiter’s desk.

According to a recent TeamLease Survey (2025), a staggering 52% of job seekers report not receiving any interview calls, even when their experience aligns perfectly with the job requirements. Why? The reasons are simple but frustrating:

• ATS Overload: As Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) scan resumes for specific keywords, candidates without the “right” words or formatting may never get noticed.
  
• Lack of Human Touch: Many job portals rely solely on algorithms to sift through resumes, missing out on the human potential that can’t be captured by a digital filter.
  
• Saturation of Listings: With thousands of candidates vying for the same position, standing out in a crowded job market has become more challenging than ever.

So, what can job seekers do to rise above the noise?

Referral Power: Your Secret Weapon

In 2025, one of the most significant ways to bypass these inefficiencies is leveraging the power of referrals. A LinkedIn study found that employee referrals are 5 times more likely to result in an interview than job applications submitted through job portals.

Why are referrals so powerful?

1. Trust Factor: When an employee recommends a candidate, the hiring company is more likely to take the application seriously. It signals that the candidate has already been vetted by someone within the organization.
   
2. Faster Path to Interview: Referrals often bypass the ATS process altogether, sending your resume straight to the hiring manager or decision-maker.
   
3. Increased Visibility: Having a mutual connection at the company can increase the chances of your profile being noticed. It’s about making those personal connections that go beyond the automated algorithms.

While it may seem daunting to network, especially in a highly competitive market, the truth is: it’s not just about the number of people you know, but the quality of those connections. Start by nurturing relationships with former colleagues, alumni, and even professionals in your field who are already working at companies you’re interested in.

Alternative Routes to Get Interviews

Instead of relying solely on job portals, consider these alternative routes that can increase your chances of landing an interview:

1. Direct Outreach to Recruiters/Managers: Skip the middleman by directly reaching out to recruiters or hiring managers via LinkedIn. Craft personalized messages expressing your interest and highlighting how your experience aligns with their company’s needs.
   
2. Personal Branding: Build a personal brand by consistently sharing insights, articles, or opinions relevant to your industry on platforms like LinkedIn. Demonstrating your expertise and engagement can catch the eye of hiring managers who are actively looking for thought leaders in the field.
   
3. Industry Events and Networking: Attending virtual or physical industry events (like webinars, conferences, or meetups) is a powerful way to meet decision-makers outside of the formal job application process. Networking at these events allows you to form connections that can lead to job opportunities.
   
4. Freelance or Contract Work: Many people find full-time roles through freelance or contract work. Companies often hire freelancers for short-term projects, and this can be a stepping stone to a permanent position once you prove your value.
   
5. Skills Platforms: Sites like Upwork, Toptal, and Freelancer are growing in popularity and offer excellent opportunities to showcase your skills on real-world projects. Many companies hire permanent staff from their freelance pool.

Real-Life Story: Rajeev’s Journey in the Modern Job Market

Rajeev, a seasoned marketing professional from Delhi, spent six months sending applications through various job portals without a single interview call. Despite his 10+ years of experience and strong skill set, his resume kept getting lost in the shuffle.

Frustrated, he decided to approach his job search differently. He reached out to his former colleagues and even some of his college professors for referrals. His alumni network proved invaluable, connecting him with an acquaintance who was working at one of the top digital marketing firms in Gurgaon. He used this network to do in-depth research on the pain points of the job, the company’s mission and values  and aligned his skills and values to what the employers were seeking. Which he did through informational interviews. 

Within a week of sending his updated resume via referral, Rajeev was called for an interview. He landed the job within a month.

Rajeev’s story is proof that personal connections, when leveraged effectively, can often lead to more opportunities than any job portal application.

Conclusion

The job market in India in 2025 is undeniably tough, with inefficiencies built into the system. While the sheer volume of applicants and reliance on platforms like job portals may seem overwhelming, understanding the power of referrals and alternative routes to interviews can give job seekers an edge.

By shifting focus from automated applications to networking and personal connections, you can bypass many of the challenges that make the job market feel like an insurmountable obstacle.

If you’re stuck in the endless loop of job applications, now’s the time to rethink your approach. Focus on leveraging your network, investing in your personal brand, and exploring alternate job search routes that can help you land the right opportunities.