By Roger Lear
I have been a talent professional based here in Orlando for over twenty years. I’ve seen firsthand how the job market has evolved, especially heading into 2025. With competition fiercer than ever and hiring managers inundated with applications, standing out requires more than just submitting your resume. Here are the top three tips you need to get more interviews in Orlando this year:
1. Hyper-Target Your Personal Brand
Your brand is more than a polished LinkedIn headline. It’s the story you tell across every touchpoint, resume, portfolio, social media, and even your voicemail greeting.
- Craft a laser-focused headline and summary. Instead of “Marketing Professional,” try “Data-Driven Digital Marketer Helping Orlando Startups Boost Conversions by 30%.” When sending your resume, this can be your title, and it will allow humans and robots to know precisely what to do quickly.
- Showcase impact with metrics. Metrics can be showcased for any job. Wherever possible, quantify achievements: “Managed a $100K budget,” “Increased web traffic by 45%,” or “Closed deals worth $2M.” For our hospitality industry workers, add in what makes you stand out. “Consistently in the top 10% of all servers” or “Had zero accident salary record in 12 years of driving a bus”.
- Maintain consistency across platforms. Ensure your LinkedIn, personal website, and any niche-specific communities (think Dribble for designers or GitHub for developers) all tell the same success story.
This level of clarity helps recruiters instantly spot why you’re uniquely qualified. This will boost your chances of getting that call for the interview. TIP: If you are applying for jobs, answer ALL unknown calls with great enthusiasm. Employers who are calling you want to set an interview, and often, missing this call delays or misses the opportunity.
2. Leverage AI and Automation Wisely
Artificial Intelligence isn’t just for tech giants; it’s your secret weapon to streamline applications and prepare for interviews.
- Use AI to optimize your resume for ATS. Tools like Jobscan can compare your resume against job descriptions and recommend keyword tweaks to improve your application’s compatibility with automated filters. Yes, every career coach in the world says the same thing to any job seeker. What they don’t say is that you must have the actual skill needs that have to be a 100% match to the job you are applying for. When you read your new AI resume, make sure it is accurate. If not, your interview will be embarrassing.
- Practice with AI-driven mock interviews. Platforms such as Interviewing.io or HireVue’s practice mode simulate real questions, giving instant feedback on your responses, tone, and pacing. Google also has an excellent AI interview prep product that is 100% free called Interview Warm Up.
- Automate follow-up reminders. A simple CRM, or even free tools like Boomerang for Gmail, can schedule polite follow-up emails if you haven’t heard back within a week. It shows initiative and keeps you top of mind without manual upkeep.
Clever use of these tools saves time and ensures you’re polished and professionally persistent throughout the process.
3. Expand Your Local Network Strategically
Orlando’s job scene thrives on community. Networking remains one of the most effective ways to uncover unadvertised roles and gain referrals.
- Attend industry meetups and career fairs. Groups like Orlando Tech and Florida HR Roundtable host regular events, and participation can lead to insider tips and warm introductions. The East Orlando Chamber of Commerce has over 40 live networking events every year where you can meet people who can help you get jobs you never even knew existed.
- Volunteer or take on pro-bono projects. Offering your skills to a local nonprofit or startup not only builds your portfolio but also deepens your network in a meaningful way.
- Schedule “coffee chats.” Reach out to Orlando-based professionals in roles or companies you admire. A 20-minute virtual or in-person chat can yield valuable insights to make a connection. You never know what this might turn into.
A robust, purposeful network doesn’t just open doors—it sustains your career over the long run.
If you live in Orlando or are moving to Central Florida, the area has thousands of great jobs. Many job seekers look for jobs where everyone else does (sites like Indeed and LinkedIn). If you start using other strategies like networking and finding companies you’ve never heard of and visiting their career page, you will get ahead of the curve.