Unlocking Job Offers: The LinkedIn Hack That Helped a CEO Land Roles at Meta, Microsoft, and Google

The Winning Job Search Formula

As Gen Z faces challenges in securing employment, tech CEO Michael Yan has shared a powerful LinkedIn hack that can help job seekers land offers from major companies like Meta, Microsoft, and Google. The secret? Applying to jobs within the first hour they are posted.

In a LinkedIn post that gained significant traction, Yan described how he used to spend hours refreshing job boards for fresh opportunities. He realized that quick applications could improve his chances of landing interviews, but the traditional method was inefficient.

The LinkedIn Hack Explained

Yan discovered a feature on LinkedIn that allows users to filter job postings that went live in the last hour. Here's how to do it in three simple steps:

1. Enter your desired job in LinkedIn’s job search and set the “Date posted” filter to “Past 24 hours.” Click “Show results.”
2. Modify the URL in your browser: change the number “86400” (representing 24 hours) to “3600” (representing 1 hour). Hit enter.
3. Browse through job listings posted within the last hour.

This trick enables job seekers to focus on the freshest listings, increasing the likelihood of being noticed by employers. Yan’s method has reportedly helped him secure job offers from Meta and Google by applying swiftly.

The Impact on Job Seekers

Although some were skeptical about the effectiveness of this hack, Yan has shared evidence of multiple job offers in his inbox, including internship letters from Microsoft and Meta. The job search landscape is competitive, and being among the first to apply can greatly enhance a candidate’s visibility.

Gen Z's Response to the Hack

Yan's post received nearly 8,850 reactions and sparked a discussion among job seekers. Many expressed optimism about the hack. For instance, one user mentioned that it could be a game-changer for landing their dream job. However, the reality remains that many candidates, especially from Gen Z, struggle to secure positions, often sending out hundreds of applications without success.

The pressure is mounting for the upcoming workforce, with 57% of the class of 2025 feeling pessimistic about starting their careers. In this competitive environment, innovative strategies like Yan’s are essential for gaining an edge.

Creative Approaches to Job Hunting

Job seekers are increasingly thinking outside the box. For example, Basant Shenouda volunteered at conferences to network with recruiters and eventually landed an internship at LinkedIn. Similarly, Ayala Ossowski wore her university’s baseball cap while working at a pizza place and successfully pitched her experience, leading to a job at Cisco. These stories highlight the importance of tenacity and creativity in today’s job market.