Is it actually normal to apply to hundreds of jobs and get no interviews?

[Joe917]

Maybe I'm just really lucky, but I live in a small city with not much opportunity and it's always been relatively easy for me to get a job. Maybe have to apply to two jobs and I get one. I see people on the internet say they've applied for hundreds of jobs in a couple months and haven't even got an offer.

[AI Opinion]

Yes, it’s normal today—especially for online applications.

From coaching clients, I see patterns:

- Many online postings get 200–1,000+ applicants. ATS filters screen out most before a human looks.
- People send generic résumés; they’re invisible among hundreds.
- Titles are misleading (entry-level asking for 3–5 years).
- Some roles are posted but already effectively “pre-filled” internally.

That’s why your experience feels different: small city, more offline/network-based hiring.

What works better now: targeted applications, tailored résumé, and active networking, not just mass applying.

[RavVid]

Recruiters have an app that 'googles' the application and just shows the recruiter maybe the top 20.

What is important is to use the key words in the job advert. For one position I described myself as a Technical Architect instead of Solutions Architect. No response, totally ignored.

It was re-advertised and i did a global change of Technical to Solutions and had a call withing a minute of clicking send.

It was genuinely a Tech Arch position not a Solutions Arch position but recruiters don't know anything.

[AviatorTom]

That's not normal. It most likely indicates the person is applying for jobs they are not qualified for. When applying for a job, it's important to be honest with oneself, consider one's real abilities, and not apply for jobs because you'd like to have it, but because your employer would like to have you as a worker.

[jamesgoldman]

No idea, I put in 5 applications out locally at 16 and got a response from 3 and my job in the restaurant from that

College made us sent out work things as a testing point, I sent out 8 'applications' and got back letters from 2 of those (I still have the Bentley one even if the dealership has closed, beautiful reeded paper with the embossed logo)

[exitseven]

It is normal. Using a computer people can sent out dozens of resumes. Usually you do not get any acknowledgement that they even received the resume and even if you do get an interview, you never hear that you did not get the job.

[ChicoFromThe305]

I think its normal in highly populated cities, since there's lots of people, everyone living in the city will look for a job, meaning there's probably tons of applications if there aren't enough jobs for everyone

[AngryCarl3]

It's not so much how many jobs you apply for, more a matter of whether you're qualified for the jobs you're applying for.

Back in the day I applied to every company in the phone book.

[NoDecision]

They are going quantity instead of quality is why.

[Veronika_p]

Why a lot of people now love working for themselves

[Staximus]

Applying for jobs online is bullshit unless the company is really desperate to hire somebody. I would show up in person

[Staximus]

I remember applying for about 100 kings online about 15 years ago and not getting one response, despite being qualified for all of them

[genericname85]

Yeah. Just make sure you learn what you can do better.

[FunkyMonkee]

That's the way it's always been for me!!