Written by Vaclav Koranda

Why Your Job Search is Taking So Long—and How to Speed It Up

I hear many people complain about job hunting for months without success. If you’re tired of sending countless applications without getting interviews, or attending interviews only to be ghosted afterward, continue reading—this article is for you.

The Merciless Mathematics of Job Search

The first thing I have to tell you might not make you very happy: statistically, out of every 100 applications you send, you can expect about 95 rejections and just 5 interview invitations. Of those, only 1-2 may turn into job offers, giving you a success rate of around 1-2%.

Even if you’re a senior expert with unique, in-demand skills and headhunters regularly contact you, you still can’t expect to be hired overnight. Employers typically take several weeks to complete their candidate selection process before extending an offer.

According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average length of unemployment (seasonally adjusted) exceeds 20 weeks—over 5 months. For about 20% of job seekers, it takes more than 7 months to secure a new role.

You can try to improve these statistics in your favor, but you need the right strategy. See below to learn how.

Why Your Job Applications Keep Failing

Job applications often fall short for a few common reasons:

  • Applying for roles that aren’t a good match for your experience or qualifications
  • Submitting a resume that doesn’t highlight relevant skills or align with the job description’s keywords
  • Using a format that’s incompatible with the company’s Applicant Tracking System (ATS)
  • Applying too late — especially for roles with high competition

Even a great resume can be overlooked if the competition is intense. To increase your chances of landing an interview, your resume must be tailored to each specific role, clearly demonstrating why you’re the ideal candidate. Otherwise your application may not even pass the initial screening.

Additionally, stay proactive: check relevant job boards daily and set alerts to ensure you don’t miss any opportunities.

Explore my other articles to learn more about creating a powerful resume:

For an in-depth guide, check out my book, ‘Get Your Dream Job’, where you’ll find detailed advice on perfecting your resume.

Why Your Interviews Don’t Turn into Job Offers

If your interview didn’t result in the job offer, there are a few possible reasons why. Perhaps you didn’t effectively demonstrate that you’re the right fit for the role, or you weren’t fully prepared to answer the tough questions. It could also be that the competition was stronger, with other candidates better suited for the position. In some cases, you may have been considered a “filler” candidate just to meet recruitment quotas, with no real intention of hiring you. Whatever the reason, understanding where it went wrong is crucial to improving your chances next time.

Explore my other articles to learn more about proper preparation for a job interview:

For an in-depth guide, check out my book, ‘Get Your Dream Job’, where you’ll find detailed advice on nailing job interviews.

Apply the Right Job Search Strategy

To maximize your application success rate, focus on jobs that best align with your profile. Only apply if you meet at least 80% of the job criteria. Ideally, target roles where you meet 100% of the requirements and possess additional skills or experience that make you an even stronger candidate.

However, despite your best efforts, if you’re competing with dozens of candidates who have the exact qualifications and experience the company is looking for, your chances of standing out are limited. To increase your odds, consider applying to companies that are less popular among job searchers, as they are more likely to consider a less-than-ideal candidate. Be cautious, though: there may be a reason for the lower popularity. If you join such a company, you might need to compromise on factors such as salary, work-life balance, or other benefits.

Check out some psychological tactics for standing out in the job search in my earlier article, The Secret Psychology to Make You Stand Out in the Job Search.

The Power of Networking

When searching for a job, your network can provide valuable job opportunities and referrals, as well as insights into companies and industries. It can also grant you access to the so-called “hidden job market”—vacancies that exist but are never publicly advertised. Some would-be ‘career experts’ claim that as many as 70-80% of job openings aren’t posted anywhere, but I must debunk this as a myth. My realistic guess is that the actual figure is around 10%. Most companies follow formal hiring policies that require vacancies to be posted both internally and externally, often as a matter of compliance or to promote transparency. For larger organizations, this practice is quite common, particularly in publicly traded companies, highly regulated industries, or companies with robust HR policies. 

However, even when positions are publicly advertised, networking can still play a significant role in the hiring process. Recommendations and referrals from within the company can give you a substantial advantage. Your network can also help you gain insights about company cultures, industry trends, and career paths. Speaking with peers in your network can give you a realistic picture of what it’s like to work at a specific organization or in a certain role. This information can help you make informed career decisions, allowing you to focus your efforts on roles and companies that align with your values and goals.

Learn how to build and leverage a strong professional network in my earlier article, The Power of Networking.

Direct Approach

Approaching potential employers directly can often lead to quick results. You can visit their website, where in addition to a list of open positions, you might find an option to submit your resume without applying to a specific job. While this may not lead to an immediate interview, it’s always worth trying. You can also search for relevant contacts at the company—such as a recruiter or a hiring manager—on your online network and reach out to inquire about any openings in your area of expertise.

If you’re seeking employment in a retail business, such as a restaurant or shop, it’s often practical to visit in person and ask directly. Many places will display a “Now Hiring” sign, which gives you the chance to make an immediate impression. The key advantage of this approach is that it allows you to be seen right away, and the interview may start almost immediately before either party even realizes it—so make sure to do your interview preparation before you hit the streets!

Follow the Process

Don’t assume that meeting all the criteria, getting an internal recommendation, or even knowing the hiring manager guarantees you the job (let alone if you don’t). In most organizations, your application still needs to go through a formal recruitment process. If you want to succeed, do what many job seekers overlook: submit a high-quality application that checks all the boxes.

Carefully read the job posting and follow every submission requirement—whether it’s the correct document format (DOC, PDF), specific points to address in your cover letter, or including the job reference number (“Job ID #39862”) in your email subject line. And don’t get frustrated if you’re asked to re-enter your work experience into the company’s Applicant Tracking System (ATS), even if it’s already listed in your resume. There’s a reason for it (read more here: ATS Decrypted: What Is Happening With Your Job Application Behind the Scenes).

Ultimately, following instructions with care shows professionalism and a willingness to respect the company’s processes—qualities employers definitely value. It might even earn you a few extra brownie points.

Don’t Be a Victim, Be a Hero

Job seekers with a victim mindset often face a longer search than those who approach the process with focus and optimism. Lately, social media has seen a rise in lengthy rants from candidates lamenting their misfortunes, while those who are spending their time refining their applications and search strategies are quietly landing roles.

If you want to accelerate your job hunt, concentrate on what you can control—like networking and how you present yourself to employers—instead of broadcasting grievances about how ‘broken’ the system is. Also, keep in mind that your social media presence will likely be part of your (formal or informal) background check. Employers tend to steer clear of potential troublemakers, so think twice before posting something that might raise eyebrows.

Read more here: Navigate Your Job Hunt with Confidence to Attract the Best Opportunities (Plus a Free Resilience Worksheet)

Conclusion

Job search can be tough, but it doesn’t have to be a never-ending struggle. By understanding the reasons behind the challenges you face you can take steps to improve your approach. With the right strategy, preparation, and mindset, you can turn the tide in your favor. Keep learning, stay persistent, and remember: your next opportunity could be just around the corner.

Good luck!

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Do you need my personal assistance? Simply send me your resume and a link to your LinkedIn profile at vaclav@getyourdreamjob.co and I will come back to you!

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