And maybe it has always been this way and since I didn't need to apply for anything I never noticed. I have applied for and networked for jobs that I am ridiculously overqualified for, and don't hear a thing.



Found this post on LinkedIn that summarizes what I see very well.

The job market is brutal.

And you can’t take it personally. Even when it feels personal.

And I know for everyone who is employed it is easy to want to try to help. And the easiest way to do that is to offer advice.

But those of us in the trenches know. Traditional advice isn’t working right now.

Traditional advice says:
Reach out to your network.
Real life example: I reached out to a former hiring manager I had a great working relationship with. She said she’d take a look at my resume. HR followed up with a generic rejection. No interview.

Get someone to refer you.
Real life example: Lost count of how many people have referred me directly to a role. Haven’t lost count as to how many interviews I have had from them because it has been zero.

Apply to everything even if you aren’t qualified
Real life example: lol - good luck you are competing with hundreds of actual qualified candidates

Go back to what you know
Real life example: I’ve reapplied at companies I left on great terms. One never responded, even with an internal referral. Another interviewed me for a role I previously held. I was overqualified and willing to take a pay cut. Still didn’t move forward.

Don’t apply using LinkedIn or Easy Apply.
Real life example: I have had interviews from LinkedIn using and not using Easy Apply. Speed seems to be the key not the platform or method.

Use/Don’t use a cover letter (or Use/Don’t use AI to write said cover letter).
Real life example: I have written tailored cover letters. I have reused cover letters. I have not used cover letters. I have used AI to tweak cover letters. Doesn’t seem to matter if I get an interview or not.

So what works? The truth is no one knows what works. They can tell you they do - they don’t know. All I know is that none of this is personal. It is the market. It is brutal. It isn’t me. It isn’t my skills. It isn’t that I am doing something wrong or not doing something right. I just have to keep doing my best and remembering that I am really good at my job - and someday I will be able to do it again.