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Comment by spearingthehead | Hacker News Reader

I've taken some breaks as well. Since COVID I have personally recorded at least 1,000 job applications, 800 in the last year alone, with ~30 interviews. Got burned out last fall, and trying to get back into a rhythm of 5 per day. But I also get a lot of recruiter emails anyway and a lot of choices there too. Sometimes it can get overwhelming.

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It’s time to approach your search differently

Learn to build a network inside the companies you want to work for

Start with Sarah Johnston’s advice: https://briefcasecoach.com/

Having worked in HR - you are trapped in the ATS system black hole. Never apply for a job cold. Always have an employee refer you in. You will 3x your chances (from 2% to 6%) with that one decision.

Employment isn’t by companies, it’s by teams.

Get your LinkedIn & Twitter game going.

I’ve been where you are. I made $50k more a year by making the decision to hire a career coach.

You’ve got a lot to offer. Giver yourself a real chance.

Have you tried taking a job at a Contracting firm type place? (Accenture, Revature, TCS) they do hire American on shore contractors, and they hire basically anyone. Go in, do some work for a year or two to at least get a bit of corporate recent work experience, and jump to somewhere better.

I haven't applied to all the ones I know, but my application to Infosys in 2020 was rejected (full stack Java dev). I had assumed these body shops just train you to fill in the gaps. It's been 2 years so I'm gonna give it ago again with similar companies. And test this theory because I was "basically anyone" and they still rejected my application.

Woah, 800 in the last year alone? That's a _ton_ of applications. Are you sending unique cover letters with each one?

It might be better to focus on quality over quantity in this case. Has anyone reviewed your resume and given pointers?

Agreed, this seems like a case for getting external help. Career coach, resume reviewer, practice interviews, mentoring, etc. Stay humble, ask for help!

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