Getting hired by tech giants like Meta, Microsoft, and Google might seem like an impossible feat in today’s hyper-competitive job market. But one tech CEO, Michael Yan, has cracked the code—and his secret weapon is hiding in plain sight on LinkedIn.

Yan, the CEO and founder of the AI assistant company Simplify, claims his success was not due to luck or connections, but rather a simple LinkedIn hack that gives job seekers a critical edge. By tweaking LinkedIn’s job search URL to apply for jobs within the first hour of their posting, Yan landed offers at some of the world’s biggest companies. And now, his strategy is going viral, offering a glimmer of hope to job seekers drowning in a sea of applications.

What is Michael Yan’s secret linkedIn strategy?

Michael Yan’s winning formula is surprisingly straightforward. He realized that speed, not quantity, was the key to standing out. Instead of wasting hours sifting through hundreds of listings, Yan discovered a way to filter job postings down to the last hour—giving himself a crucial head start over other candidates.

How does the linkedIn hack work?

Here’s the step-by-step breakdown of Yan’s method:

• Enter Your Desired Job in LinkedIn’s Search Bar: Start by typing the job title into the LinkedIn search bar and hitting enter.
  
  
• Set the Date Filter to “Past 24 Hours”: Narrow your search by selecting the “Date posted” filter and choosing “Past 24 hours.”
  
  
• Tweak the URL for Precision: Now, here’s where the magic happens. Look at the URL after the results load. You’ll see a number—“86400”—which represents 24 hours (the number of seconds in a day). Change that number to “3600” (the number of seconds in an hour) and press enter.
  
  

This little-known tweak instantly filters job listings to show only those posted within the last hour. Yan’s hack takes just a minute to execute but can dramatically increase your chances of securing an interview by putting you at the front of the line.

Why does applying within the first hour give you an edge?

Yan’s approach turns the traditional job search strategy on its head. Most candidates spend weeks—or even months—sending out hundreds of applications, hoping one will stick. But by applying immediately after a job is posted, Yan ensured that his application landed at the top of the pile—before the competition had a chance to flood the recruiter’s inbox.

Speed matters. In 2025’s AI-driven hiring landscape, applicant tracking systems (ATS) often filter resumes within seconds. Being one of the first applicants significantly increases the likelihood that your resume will be seen by human eyes. Yan’s results prove this—he claims to have landed multiple internship offers at Meta and Microsoft using this very strategy, even sharing screenshots of the offers in the comments of his viral LinkedIn post.

Does this linkedIn hack actually work? What are job seekers saying?

Not everyone was convinced at first. Some commenters expressed skepticism about whether something as simple as tweaking a URL could make such a difference. But Yan’s story—and the growing testimonials from others who’ve tried his method—suggest otherwise.

One LinkedIn user commented, “Thanks for sharing this. This can be a game changer for me to land my dream job.” Another user chimed in, saying he had used a similar approach years ago and confirmed that it “works like a charm.”

However, landing a job isn’t as easy as flipping a switch. Despite using innovative tactics like Yan’s, many Gen Z job seekers still find themselves sending out hundreds of applications without success. The harsh reality? The job market is tougher than ever, with entry-level roles becoming increasingly scarce.

Why is the job market so tough for Gen Z?

The Class of 2025 is already feeling the heat. According to a 2024 report from Handshake, 57% of graduating seniors feel pessimistic about their career prospects. Worse, they’ve sent out 24% more applications than their predecessors, reflecting the sheer intensity of the competition.

“Ghost jobs”—listings that stay online long after being filled—are further complicating matters. Many candidates waste valuable time applying to roles that no longer exist, making the hunt feel like a never-ending marathon. With fewer entry-level positions available and higher competition, Gen Z is being forced to think outside the box to gain a competitive advantage.

Can this hack Give Gen Z a competitive edge?

For young job seekers facing mounting pressure, Yan’s technique is a breath of fresh air. It’s no longer just about sending out a flood of applications—it’s about applying at the right moment.

Other Gen Z job seekers are also finding creative ways to stand out:

• Basant Shenouda tracked conferences attended by recruiters and volunteered at them to distribute her résumé. Her persistence paid off—she landed an internship at LinkedIn.
  
  
• Ayala Ossowski turned her part-time job into an opportunity. She wore her university’s baseball cap while working at a pizza joint and struck up conversations with customers who asked about her education. Her hustle secured her a position at Cisco.
  
  

These unconventional approaches highlight a critical truth: persistence, creativity, and timing can turn the tide in your favor.

Is speed more important than quantity in job applications?

Yan’s LinkedIn hack suggests that timing beats volume in today’s cutthroat job market. While many job seekers still rely on the old strategy of sending out as many applications as possible, Yan’s method shifts the focus to being the first in line.

By applying within the first hour, you dramatically increase your chances of standing out—before your resume gets buried under hundreds of others. Yan’s success story demonstrates that quality and timing matter far more than sheer volume.

What can job seekers learn from Michael Yan’s experience?

Michael Yan’s journey is a testament to the power of strategy and innovation. His approach isn’t just about applying faster—it’s about playing smarter.

For job seekers looking to replicate his success, the takeaway is clear: timing is everything. In an era where AI filters and automation dominate hiring, getting your foot in the door early can make all the difference. Whether you’re targeting roles at top tech companies or smaller startups, being among the first to apply can elevate your chances of landing that coveted interview.

FAQs:

How does Michael Yan’s LinkedIn job search hack work?
By changing the LinkedIn job search URL, job seekers can filter and apply for jobs within the first hour of posting, increasing visibility.

Why is applying within the first hour important?
It ensures your application ranks higher, gets seen first by recruiters, and beats AI filters before jobs receive hundreds of applicants.