Tech job seeker shares lessons learned after 450 applications: Why cold applications no longer work
By
usernamed7
An everything bagel for the brain. Substantive, layered, well-seasoned.
Summary
The author shares their experience of applying to 450 positions before finally getting hired in the tech industry. They argue that traditional cold-application methods are largely ineffective in today's job market, where AI-driven applicant tracking systems (ATS) dominate resume screening. The article provides advice on navigating modern tech job applications, emphasizing the importance of networking, referrals, and adapting to the new hiring landscape.
Key quotes
· 4 pulledYour assumptions are objectively incorrect. That's the old way of applying to jobs and, while it may still work, it didn't work for me or anyone else I've talked to that has looked for a tech job in the last year.
If you have an 'in' with somebody at the company you're applying to, then yes, that absolutely increases your chances of your resume at least being looked at by someone in the hiring chain.
Barring that, though, cold calls are extremely unlikely to get you anywhere.
AI-driven applicant tracking systems (ATSes) are what handle the majority of resume
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