There are so many jobs out there...But they never get back to you at all, you are lucky if you get an email.

7 Comments

1. AnonymousNovember 9,2023 at 4:15AM UTC

   I hear you and feel the same. I know people who got a job through applying, but it took a while. Not easy. I am trying to figure out that networking thing...

2. AnonymousNovember 9,2023 at 1:50PM UTC

   Networking is the way. It doesn’t have to a schmoozy process if that’s not your style. Realize you probably have many first degree connections: former coworkers and managers, vendor contacts, people you knew in school and people in your neighborhood/community at large.

   Tell literally everyone you are in the market for a new role and be concise about what that role might be.

   I was affected by a massive layoff last week and posted to LinkedIn about my open to work-status, along with a few sentences about how I can add value to a company. I was surprised and so moved by the ripple effect that occurred as a result: former managers and coworkers shared to their personal LI pages, offered references and vouched for me in my Comments. As a result, members of *their* networks reached out to me.

   Consider LI Premium: free for the first month, ~$30-40/mo. after. See what you can learn from the expanded access to data.

   Ask anyone you can think of in your field for 15 minutes to talk, get insights, offer feedback on your resume and ask who they will connect you with. Learn from them and walk through every door they open. You may be surprised at who you meet as a result.

   I’m people-loving and verbal but certainly introverted, and this strategy can work for anyone.

   Best wishes. So many of us are in this together, and there’s comfort in the shared experience, at least.

3. Maggie StoneNovember 11,2023 at 1:22PM UTC

   Agree, time to network, network, network.

4. AnonymousNovember 9,2023 at 2:14PM UTC

   I am actively in the job hunt too. I have a spreadsheet of where I have applied and the response. There is a chunk of them that my response is "ghosted". Unfortunately this can be because the HR people are spread very thin or they didn't set up the auto-response when a job in their system got removed (filled/canceled or whatever) or their culture just doesn't feel it is worth it. Funny but others I thought ghosted me just are so slow, I just got a form rejection from a company I applied to over two months ago.

   I agree with other comments here, you have to go out and "touch" people. Go to alumni events, join book clubs, find groups of people who work in your field. Even, gasp, send cold emails to people who are in companies where you want to work. I also realized that I needed to fish in a smaller pond, the fully remote jobs look great but you are competing with the entire world, be willing to go into an office and the talent pool is a lot smaller.

   Unfortunately the digital age took away the personal touch, it is up to us to create it back again.

5. AnonymousNovember 9,2023 at 2:53PM UTC

   depending on the job, there can be hundreds of applicants. Unless you’ve actually been chosen for an interview, don’t expect communication. HR depts just don’t have the bandwidth.

6. AnonymousNovember 10,2023 at 2:15PM UTC

   Try putting a little different spin on things. The other commenters have valid points about HR being overloaded, with inadequate tools, etc., but if you consider how they treat their employees and those they are trying to entice to come to work for them, would you want to work there? Suppose their HR department uses antiquated systems and is understaffed/overwhelmed to the point that they can't even acknowledge an application or say they went with another candidate. What can the company's culture be like once you get there? Will you be tossed into the middle of a high-profile, understaffed project with little or no direction? Will your boss be on the road to burnout because they can't get the talent they need? Perhaps you are missing out on an opportunity at a company you'd like to work for, but you could also be missing out on a chance for overwork and no recognition. Hang in there. Make sure your resume is optimized for the positions you apply to, and the right job will find you.

7. Maggie StoneNovember 11,2023 at 1:23PM UTC

   it is about who knows you.