Step-by-step guide on how to land a job in weeks

Author

Harshvi Shah
August 23, 2025

The Truth:

Last week, we covered a wide range of job portals you can use for your job search that expand beyond LinkedIn. Today, let’s go through a step-by-step breakdown on how to land a job in 2025.

When I was job-hunting, I made a big mistake.

The reason you’re not hearing back from job applications? You’re not getting referrals.

Think about it from a recruiter's perspective: thousands of people are applying to the same job. How does your application stand out?
➡️ When someone inside the company vouches for you.

When I was job searching, I received over 25 referrals (having no prior connections in my industry). Almost all turned into interviews… which turned into 2 full-time offers and 2 summer internships in < 3 months.

Trust me, job searching in 2025 is about building connections, not blasting applications (your connections > number of jobs you're applying to).

🔹 Step 1: Connect with Employees on LinkedIn

Send 20–30 personalized requests to people at your target company.

Template:

“Hi [NAME], I hope you are doing well. I would love to connect with you as a recently graduated Master's student from University X; I am passionately curious to learn about your experience at Company X. Please let me know if you have a couple minutes this week to have a quick chat.”

🔹 Step 2: Make Scheduling Easy

Once someone responds, immediately share your availability.
If you have a Calendly link, send it, remove as much friction as possible!

🔹 Step 3: Cold Email / InMail Outreach

If you don’t get traction on LinkedIn, cold email works, especially with senior leaders (VPs, CEOs, founders).

Email Template:

Subject: Request To Connect From [NAME]

Dear [Insert Name],

Hope this email finds you well. I am [Insert Name], a current undergraduate/master’s student at [Insert University] majoring in [Insert Major]. I recently applied to the [Insert Role] role at [Insert Company]. I’d love to learn more about your experience at Company X and how it drives [impactful strategies / solutions].

My background as a [Insert previous role] and [Insert previous role] aligns with Company X’s mission and purpose. I believe these roles have equipped me with the skills and insights needed to contribute meaningfully to your team.

I would greatly appreciate it if we could have a quick chat over Zoom/in person for me to get to know more about your role at Company X and perhaps speak more about my prior experience and interest in Company X. I’ve attached my resume for context.

[Attach resume]

Looking forward to hearing from you.

🔹 Step 4: Nail the Coffee Chat

When you hop on a call, show curiosity and respect their time.

Here’s a script you can follow:

  1. Start off: “Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with me. I really appreciate it.”

  2. Introduce yourself briefly (school, major, why you’re interested).

  3. Ask great questions:

    • What initially sparked your interest in healthcare consulting, and how did you end up at Company X?

    • What made you choose Company X and how would you describe your experience here?

    • Can you share a memorable project you’ve worked on recently? Key challenges and insights?

    • What does your day-to-day look like as a consultant?

    • How did you prepare for case interviews?

    • Any websites/books you’d recommend?

    • How can I make the most of [Insert School] while pursuing consulting?

🔹 Step 5: Asking for a Referral (Follow-Up Template)

After you’ve built rapport, send a referral request that feels genuine, not generic.

Referral Template:

Dear [Insert Name],

Hope this message finds you well. It was such a pleasure learning about your experience at Company X during our chat. I truly valued your insights on [Insert something specific they mentioned].

I am writing to express my strong interest in the [Insert Role] role at Company X. The company’s mission to [Insert Company’s Mission or Value they shared] resonates deeply with my goals. I’m passionate about pursuing a career in healthcare consulting, especially given the exciting medical advancements in recent years.

Would you feel comfortable supporting me with a referral? I’ve attached my resume below for your reference, and I’d be more than happy to provide additional work samples if useful.

Thank you again for your time and generosity, it means a lot!

[Attach resume]

💡 Key Takeaways

  • Referrals are earned, not asked for cold —> Build trust first.

  • Prepare thoughtful questions —> It shows genuine interest.

  • Personalize your referral request —> Reference your conversation to stand out.

With this system, you’re no longer sending blind applications, you’re building a network that actively champions and supports you.

Who’s hiring?

Technology:

United States:

United Kingdom:

India:

Consulting/Finance:

United States:

United Kingdom:

India:

Hey there! I’d love to know what you thought of this week’s edition. If you’re a loyal reader, you’ll notice that we changed how we display job listings. Was it helpful? Do you like this new way or do you prefer we go back to our previous way of showing things (e.g. including responsibilities and skills)

Seriously though, please reply to this email (even if it’s just an emoji or “more like this pls!”).

I read every single response and it genuinely helps me make this better for you. So don’t be shy, let’s build this together ❤️

P.S. If you just wanna say hi, that’s cool too. Connect with us on LinkedIn:

- Harshvi, Raj and Rong