ZipRecruiter®, a leading online employment marketplace, has introduced Be Seen First, a new feature that allows job seekers to add a short personalized note to their applications. This note highlights their enthusiasm for the role and fit for the position, boosting their application to the top of the employer's resume pile and increasing visibility in a highly competitive, automated hiring landscape.
Quick Intel
Job searching frequently involves submitting applications and receiving little feedback, as employers handle hundreds of resumes per role using automated systems. This process can bury strong candidates early on. Be Seen First changes the dynamic by giving applicants a simple way to demonstrate communication skills, effort, and genuine interest—qualities difficult to convey through a resume alone.
“Something as simple as telling a veterinary clinic, ‘I’ve been in pet care for 5+ years, and I’m the person who remembers every dog’s favorite scratch spot. I'm local and could get started right away!’ can make all the difference,” said Megan Allen, Chief Product Officer at ZipRecruiter. “Those few words put your best foot forward and help an employer instantly see who you are. Be Seen First gives job seekers a way to rise to the top instead of starting at the bottom of the pile.”
For employers, the feature streamlines screening by surfacing motivated candidates first, reducing time spent on unqualified or disengaged applicants. Recruiters receive valuable context in the candidate's own words, helping them move quickly from reviewing resumes to meaningful conversations.
“In a sea of applications, a short, optional note becomes a powerful signal of intent, communication skills, and fit,” said Scott Steinberg, VP of Job Seeker Product at ZipRecruiter. “Hiring teams want to move quickly from scanning applications to having real conversations, and they’re eager to prioritize candidates who take extra effort to show their enthusiasm.”
Be Seen First is now live on tens of thousands of job listings on ZipRecruiter. Eligible postings display a purple badge, and after applying, job seekers can add their note to activate the boost.
For more details on how this changes the game for job seekers, read our blog post. To learn more about the new product, visit ZipRecruiter.com/be-seen-first.
About ZipRecruiter
ZipRecruiter® (NYSE: ZIP) is a leading online employment marketplace that actively connects people to their next great opportunity. ZipRecruiter’s powerful matching technology improves the job search experience for job seekers and helps businesses of all sizes find and hire the right candidates quickly. ZipRecruiter has been the #1 rated job search app on iOS & Android for the past nine years and is rated the #1 job site by G2.
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