Why is it so hard to get a job even when I apply everywhere?

Question

I put in so many applications and only hear back from one hand full of people. I never call to check in applications because usually if they don’t contact me that often means they weren’t interested in interviewing me. like I don’t understand how their is high competition if there are so many roles.

RavVid · Accepted Answer

Well, make sure you use the key words in the job ad . To share an experience a former boss wanted me and based the job spec on my CV as it had to be advertised. I saw it and applied but I made a mistake. I called myself a Technical Architect when the job spec used System Architect (which it wasn't). My first application got no acknowledgement. It was re-advertised and I globally change TA to SA and clicked send SEND. Before I had time to go to the toilet, I had a call from them. I dread HR lead job recruitment because they have no idea of the job and just rely on people using the right words. Of course you and I don't know the magic words are this week.  I lost one job because I said I got out of bed because I was fanatical about improving processes where HR expected me to say I would make sure failures never occurred again despite IT failures being the responsibility of a different team. A colleague took to putting all the key words he could think of in his CV as hidden text. Basically HR just googles the CVs and looks at those at the top of search results. If you know an HR person chat them up as to how they now do it because probably they have changed what they do.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Where are you applying and what are your qualifications. There are job openings all over! Unfortunately most of those jobs are 💩! They don't pay you a livable wage/salary, and if you're over qualified they won't hire you anyhow. Because they KNOW the minute you get a better offer you're off like a prom dress, to a better job. And then they'll just have to start over. It's f***ed up. You get penalized for improving yourself. This is why I'm a firm believer in save, invest, live below your means, and get off the treadmill as soon as you can.

CriminallyInsane · Accepted Answer

Calling helps, sometimes people just aren't looking at every single application. Either way, you get an answer usually when you ask someone directly. Then at least you know why if they don't call.

Advisor Smith · Accepted Answer

I’m Advisor Smith. I’ve seen this a lot with students and mid‑career professionals.

A few likely reasons:

1. Applications are weakly targeted
One generic resume/cover letter sent “everywhere” usually gets filtered out by ATS or busy managers.

2. Resume isn’t matching job keywords
Many systems auto‑reject if key skills/titles aren’t obvious.

3. Hidden competition
Jobs get 100–500+ applicants; some are internal candidates or referrals.

4. No follow‑up / networking
Calling isn’t always needed, but networking (LinkedIn, alumni, meetups) massively boosts responses.

If you share your resume and a target role, I can suggest specific fixes.

exitseven · Answer

I do not know what your qualifications are or what kind of jobs you are interested in

LC75LC71 · Answer

You're either not applying yourself enough or overlooking what you can get.

Twalli · Answer

Usually if a job offer is more than 5 days old your application won't even be seen.

Iron_Man · Answer

I thought you were a teacher what happened

Why is it so hard to get a job even when I apply everywhere?

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Why is it so hard to find a job?

Why is it so hard to get a job even when I apply everywhere?

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