What's your number?

29 Comments

1. AnonymousFebruary 14,2024 at 5:09PM UTC

   300 applications. 7 interviews (counting 2 second interviews). Still looking.

2. AnonymousFebruary 14,2024 at 5:50PM UTC

   It''s frankly not about the numbers, you cannot just apply and expect someone is sitting there waiting for your resume to cross their desk. Do something different, work your network, do some speaking engagements about your expert skills, blog, keep top of mind by posting regularly on professional media sites that align with your function. 9-12 months is typical these days and automation and ATS triggering automatic responses doesn't help.

3. AnonymousFebruary 14,2024 at 7:18PM UTC

   Oh, I completely agree - that's why I only ended up sending less than 3 dozen applications in a year myself.
   But I do think it's something many candidates end up doing so they feel productive and have an answer for loved ones who ask them how they are spending their days. So I think it's definitely interesting to see what folks are experiencing out there.

4. AnonymousFebruary 14,2024 at 8:39PM UTC

   To be candid, I've found the higher the number of applications, the more severe the burnout. I keep my applications to the lowest volume I can. Blanketing the market, applying to everything under the sun increases the likelihood of me focusing on lower level and ill-fitting jobs that either don't pan out or should not pan out. This, I've found, takes my focus and energy from great fits (far fewer and sometimes a bit hidden and requiring networking and researching).

   I understand being desperate and needing to get something to pay the bills but that is not generally the situation. At least in my job search history.

5. Maggie StoneFebruary 15,2024 at 1:52PM UTC

   Cumulatively, over over multiple searches, I have put in so many, I lost count.

6. AnonymousFebruary 15,2024 at 2:14PM UTC

   I was laid off a year ago after 25 years at my former company and got very lucky. Applied to 1 job, interviewed and got it. It just happened to be a great fit that came along at exactly the right time.

7. Joan Marie VerbaFebruary 15,2024 at 2:15PM UTC

   I've applied to over 800 jobs since I was laid off six years ago. I had maybe 3-4 interviews last year. (Yes, I've had resume reviews. Yes, I've had career coaching. Yes, I network. Yes, I've done probably everything you can think of.)

8. AnonymousFebruary 16,2024 at 2:27PM UTC

   I think it is best to be selective instead of blanketing the market. During my last job search after a layoff I only applied to companies through networking and identifying a way to personalize my introductions to someone specific in the hR department and trying to identify a potential hiring manager. My strategy was to get someone within the organization to help me with the HR department. Estimate of outreach about 40-50 companies max, lots of phone screens with recruiters and HR contacts. In final round with three companies. I stopped the process with one company since I did not think it was a good fit, another lost funding for the position and the third one offered me the role. Never give up but be smart with your efforts and strategic. Don’t just pump out applications blindly. The juice is not worth the squeeze unless it makes you feel better and more in control. Lastly, I am a much older person (over 60) so keep up the faith.

9. Joan Marie VerbaFebruary 16,2024 at 4:40PM UTC

   What makes you think I'm just "blanketing the market?" What makes you think that I'm not being "smart with my efforts and strategic?" Just because I've applied to over 800 jobs doesn't mean I am deficient in job seeking skills.

10. AnonymousFebruary 16,2024 at 4:59PM UTC

    Everyone is trying to provide helpful advice based on their experiences. If you read through many of the comments provided you will see a common theme that more strategic outreach to fewer companies is more effective. Good luck on your search.

11. Joan Marie VerbaFebruary 16,2024 at 8:12PM UTC

    Speaking of "helpful advice" here's a piece of advice that I've found helpful: when someone says they're having difficulties, it is best to ask "do you want advice, or did you just need to vent" before making any suggestions. If you check the original post above, the original poster's question was to ask "What's your number and what have all your experiences been?" I limited my response to answering that question, and in my response, I did not ask for any advice, and I did not give any suggestions. I recommend the same in responding to a query or the response to a query.

12. Victoria CianciFebruary 15,2024 at 3:03PM UTC

    670

13. Marcia SmithFebruary 15,2024 at 3:33PM UTC

    During my last job search, I applied to 109 jobs and had 32 interviews. I received 2 job offers. The time before that - about 3 years ago - I applied to over 200 jobs and had about 25 interviews and received 2 job offers, but one was really, really bad and I would never have accepted it. I honed my skills as a job hunter and did much better in my recent job hunt. It's a brutal environment for jobhunting for fully remote positions

14. AnonymousFebruary 15,2024 at 6:04PM UTC

    Laid off in June 2023, 367 applications, 4 interviews (2 where I made it to the last round). I am trying not to internalize this situation. But when you need a job, it is hard. I am confused as to why so many people are having serious trouble finding jobs. I know that I have been qualified and I still get rejections. Then you only get 26 weeks of unemployment in many states so you are in trouble if you can find anything.

    Someone please explain why so many can't get jobs but they are saying the market is solid and the job openings are there.

15. AnonymousFebruary 15,2024 at 6:08PM UTC

    I was thinking the same thing. It is easy for someone who has a job to give that advice.

16. AnonymousFebruary 16,2024 at 12:08AM UTC

    Here for the comments

17. AnonymousFebruary 16,2024 at 1:32PM UTC

    I applied to over 200 roles last year. I had 2 interviews and 1 phone interview that didn’t go any further. Was ghosted by a few recruiters as well. As well as applying to some apprenticeship programs and telling me I would be on a waitlist for 3 yrs.

18. AnonymousFebruary 16,2024 at 1:49PM UTC

    My average was for every 10 resumes, I would get some kind of response— either an email with additional questions or a request for a phone screen. About a third of those turned into actual interviews. None of the interviews (sometimes second, third, group and final) resulted in an offer. I finally relocated and found my last position within a month.

19. Rashida GrahamFebruary 16,2024 at 5:55PM UTC

    Where did you relocate to?

20. AnonymousFebruary 16,2024 at 1:51PM UTC

    lol at sending it that late, when I wake up each day, I start my day in my inbox, filtering out all the rejection emails, some call it disqualification too. No sir/ma am not unqualified, you just want someone else .. and that’s okay , next email!

21. AnonymousFebruary 16,2024 at 2:47PM UTC

    When I was selective in my job search, while employed, I sent out 18 applications and received 5 interviews and 4 offers. Time from the start of the process to the acceptance of the position - 2 months.

    When I was laid off years ago, I sent out 10 resumes a day - that was my goal. All in all a lot of applications, with only 8 interviews and 2 job offers - Time from the start of the process to the acceptance of the position - 1 month, with a week off for a vacation.

    The shortest it has taken me to find employment is - the same day. Submitted my application, received a call, had an interview, and was offered the job.

    I'm currently passively looking - open to opportunities and have received 8 messages from employers, but none of the opportunities match my wants and needs.

    I have a very refined process for looking for work.

22. PattiFebruary 16,2024 at 3:28PM UTC

    What field do you work in? I feel the type of position you are looking for can have an impact on the job search process....either be quick to find as in your experience or the opposite.

23. AnonymousFebruary 17,2024 at 7:25PM UTC

    Agree, it is much for effective to be selective, network and really work fewer applications.

24. Stephanie IngleFebruary 16,2024 at 3:39PM UTC

    Your numbers sound like you have a pretty good average going. But it also isn’t a lot after looking for a year. On the other hand, your friend could put another 500 resumes in and still never get an interview or maybe one. They are playing a numbers game and the odds aren’t in their favor. There are many factors that influence the level of effort required and how long in general hunts go on perhaps set a goal or 5 per week and try to go with companies where you know someone who can drop a hint / request to the recruiting team or hiring manager. If that’s not an option try to find out who one of those people are and send them a request for virtual coffee on LinkedIn to talk to you about the company and any insights they might have about the role. It is astounding how helpful people actually want to be! But you have to help them. No one is coming to beat on your door unless you are ina few specific fields.

25. AnonymousFebruary 16,2024 at 3:47PM UTC

    I don't track my numbers! I think by doing so it just makes me feel worse. I only pay attention to the number of current applications I am working on at the time, which is usually just 3-5 per week. Once they do not reply, or it is a rejection, I move on.

26. AnonymousFebruary 16,2024 at 4:29PM UTC

    I apply to about 8 jobs per week and average 2 interviews per week. I'm only really interested in about 50% of the jobs I'm applying to. My unemployment ran out a while back, so I'm applying for jobs I'm way overqualified for at this point. That strategy seems to just be a waste of everyone's time, as I don't really want the job and the people interviewing me know I will "quickly be bored" with the position.

27. AnonymousFebruary 16,2024 at 7:00PM UTC

    I’ve been unemployed for exactly a year the amount of jobs I’ve applied for is countless. I also started out applying for types of jobs I held in my past at that time I felt anything under that would be embarrassing. After 17 interviews I made it it to the second interview with 6 and a 3rd interview twice all ended up with “we decided to go in a different direction “

    when this happened I applied for everything I had skills to be able to perform. I’d say over half were you’re interview will be over zoom only to find like at least 100 people in the zoom call for basically pay to become whatever job it was so basically it’s your own business and paid when you sold something. I can’t tell you how many ended up filling my in box with apply for this credit card, or pay to be a a product tester. I mostly use Indeed so I was shocked that things like that were under such a well used program. A year later I have no job, I have not one penny to my name, borrowed $1000’s of dollars from family and now in a week I’ll have no job and no where to live. This is beyond the hardest “job” ever as I’m go through all job resources for at least 6 hours a day ending in an enormously big headache, another hot to my pride and still nothing! I don’t get it! Places hire younger workers , I’m not saying all younger people but coming out of a job where I was in charge of new hires it happened A LOT)(I’m 52) and in my experience they do the least amount of work or call out at least once a week. All because their skills test was better! Of course it is! They have computers in school and I had typing all my skills have been learned on the job. My self esteem is the lowest ever and I have very little fight left! I lost all my belongings and my car. So I guess this is to just say apply for everything even if you feel your over qualified. At least you will be making money to support yourself.

28. CautiousFebruary 16,2024 at 8:02PM UTC

    Since September I have applied for 52 jobs and have 15 interviews.

29. Kris WolframFebruary 17,2024 at 1:31AM UTC

    Try an agency to help with placement. A lot of times it is all about networking and who you know. See if you can find a group in your area.