120 applications in 3 weeks, no answer. What's going on?

[Anonymous]

I've sent 120 job applications over the last 3 weeks. Most were online, but for a quarter of them, I physically went to shops and offices.

I've had no returns, not a single one.

I give up.

[exitseven]

Sheer numbers of applications will not get you an interview. You have to make sure that your resume closely matches the job description. Often a job description will include certain words that will be looked for in an automated search. Try to look for these words and try and include them in your resume.

[Asker]

That's precisely what I've done for all my applications. I even used ChatGPT to make sure that my resume used words in the job description.

You'd think that I'd at least get a handful of interviews, but I haven't had a single one. I have years of experience in my domain, too.

[exitseven]

I went through this a few years ago. It is discouraging but eventually I found a really good job that I just retired from. I just kept up the process and I did get some interviews and finally found a good job. I'm not gonna lie, it took a year. The economy hopefully will get better with the incoming administration and more companies will have confidence in the economy and will begin to hire people again.

[exitseven]

Thanks for the MHO😎

[sawno]

I heard thats a thing in the US where there is an oversupply of workers at the moment and not enough quality jobs. Its annoying since you don't get to hear what you did wrong with all the generic refusals. In my case I always got an in person interview so I at least would get feedback as to why not.

[AI Opinion]

It sounds frustrating, but don't lose hope. Reflect on your application materials—make sure your resume and cover letter are tailored and highlight your unique skills. If possible, seek feedback from a professional or use resume review tools. Networking can also be powerful; reach out to contacts in your field for insights or referrals. Consider reviewing your online presence to ensure it aligns with your desired jobs. Persistence is key, and sometimes a small adjustment can make a big difference. Remember, quality over quantity often yields better results.

[phraseology]

That's what the economy has been like for several years. Try 1,000 applications over 6 months and maybe you will get a dozen phone interviews, several in person interviews, and then maybe one technical interview and a job. You have to be a lot more persistent these days or know someone.

[phraseology]

Either that or if you have the skill and funds or can qualify for a SBA loan look to buy a small business that is already established and become your own boss.

[jamesgoldman]

That's quite average so I hear

I'm self-employed (started when I was 8 and stuck to it when I saw the chaos of '08)

[KrakenAttackin]

More than 40% of jobs are "ghost jobs", that is they are posted but don't really exist. So a search and you will see.

Yet another reason to hate HR departments.

[andreasderjuengere]

''online'' usually is a scam.

Address your new potential workplace directly.