Yes, finding a job right now can feel incredibly hard, and you are not alone in feeling this way. After months of applying and tweaking my approach, the biggest shift came when I stopped treating every application the same. Instead, I focused on quality over quantity and started tailoring my resume and cover letter to match the specific job description, especially the keywords used in the requirements. For example, if a job asked for “project management” and “cross-functional collaboration,” I made sure those exact phrases appeared in my experience section. This simple change dramatically increased my callback rate.
I also learned that the candidate screening process often relies on an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) that filters out resumes that don’t match the job’s keywords. So, if you’re not hearing back, your resume might not even be seen by a human. Beyond that, I started reaching out to current employees at companies I wanted to join, not to ask for a job, but to ask about their experience. This is a form of informational interviewing, and it helped me get referrals which bypass the ATS entirely. Here is a quick comparison of what I changed:
| Approach | Before (Few Responses) | After (More Responses) |
|---|
| Resume | One generic version for all jobs | Tailored to each job description using keywords |
| Application Volume | 20+ per day | 5-10 highly targeted applications per week |
| Networking | None | 3-5 informational interviews per week |
| Follow-up | Never followed up | Sent a polite email 5-7 days after applying |
It’s not about you being unqualified. The market is just more competitive, and the tactics that worked a few years ago don’t always work now. Focus on building genuine connections and showing a deep understanding of the company’s needs in your application materials. That is where the real leverage is.
