Any real advice on getting noticed for a job at Pokémon? (Been unemployed ~1 year)

Hey everyone. I’m hoping to get some honest insight here, especially from anyone who’s worked at or around The Pokémon Company.

I’ve been trying to break into Pokémon for a while now, mostly on the communications, marketing, or brand side. I grew up with Pokémon and genuinely admire how the brand has managed to stay relevant across generations without losing its identity. It’s one of the few companies I’d be truly excited to contribute to long term.

That said, I’ve been out of work for a little over a year, and the job search has been rough. I’ve applied online, tailored resumes and cover letters, reached out on LinkedIn, and tried to be intentional about networking, but it still feels like applications disappear into a black hole.

I’m really just trying to understand what actually gets noticed at Pokémon beyond submitting an application. Does networking genuinely make a difference there, or are referrals even a thing? Was told that referrals these days are just white noise…Are there certain teams or roles that tend to hire more often? And for someone who doesn’t come directly from the gaming industry, what tends to help candidates stand out?

I’m not looking for shortcuts, just trying to be smarter about where to focus my energy. Being unemployed this long definitely messes with your confidence, and I’d appreciate any perspective or advice, even if it’s a hard truth.