Applying for jobs basically feels like a full-time job. And yet, I decided to go all in and send out 50 applications in a single week just to see what would happen. Desperate? Maybe. Determined? Absolutely.
The process was a rollercoaster of emotions — hope, frustration, excitement, rejection, and a whole lot of waiting. But by the end of it, I had some real insights into what actually works (and what’s just a waste of time).
Quality Sort of Matters, But So Does Volume
I started off the week optimistically, carefully tailoring my resume and cover letter to each position. By job application #10, I was losing steam. By #25, I was basically a resume-copying robot.
At first, I felt guilty about the lack of personalization, but here’s the shocking part: my response rate wasn’t drastically different between highly customized applications and the quick, slightly tailored ones.
Of course, applying to random jobs didn’t work, but I learned that as long as my resume aligned well with the job description, sending out more applications actually increased my chances way more than over-personalizing each one.
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Job Descriptions Are a Lie
I applied to a mix of companies — startups, corporations, creative agencies, even some “too good to be true” listings. And guess what? Some of them were too good to be true.
A “flexible, remote job” turned out to be a commission-only sales gig. A “marketing position” was actually cold calling. And don’t even get me started on the jobs that listed entry-level salaries with five years of required experience.
I realized that job descriptions often have wild expectations that don’t always match the reality of the role. If you meet at least 60-70% of the qualifications, it’s worth applying. Companies write wish lists, not always realistic expectations.
The Hiring Process Is Painfully Slow
After submitting 50 applications, I was mentally prepared for rejection. What I wasn’t prepared for was… silence. Days passed. A week. Two weeks. Crickets.
I checked my email obsessively, hoping for anything—a rejection, a “we received your application,” a ghost emoji from a recruiter — just some sign of life. Turns out, most companies take weeks to even start reviewing applications, and many never respond at all.
The lack of feedback was frustrating, but it also taught me not to obsess over every application. Instead of waiting anxiously, I kept applying and moved on immediately after hitting “submit.”
Recruiters Respond to the Right Keywords
I had heard that resume scanning software (ATS) was a thing, but I didn’t realize how much it actually mattered. I experimented with tweaking my resume for different applications, and whenever I directly mirrored the language from the job description, I got more interview requests. I’m talking copy-pasting specific skills and phrases into my resume where they naturally fit.
For example, if a job listing mentioned “project management” three times, you’d better believe I found a way to work it into my resume — even if I had originally phrased it as “team coordination.” The lesson? Speak their language, or they won’t even see your application.
Referrals and Networking Are Unfairly Powerful
Out of the 50 applications I submitted, I only directly heard back from five companies. Not great odds. But then, I reached out to a friend who worked at one of the companies I applied to. Within days, I had an interview. I did the same with a LinkedIn connection, and boom — another interview.
Here’s the harsh truth: blindly applying online is a numbers game, but personal connections bypass the algorithm. It doesn’t matter if you’re the perfect candidate — if no one actually sees your resume, you’re just another name in a pile.
After this experiment, I realized I should have spent at least half my time reaching out to people in my industry instead of just submitting applications into the void.
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Rejection Hurts (But It’s Not Always Personal)
Of the five interviews I landed, three ghosted me after round one, one sent me a generic “we went with another candidate” email, and one actually led to an offer. The rejection stung, but what helped was realizing that so many hiring decisions have nothing to do with you.
Sometimes they already have an internal hire in mind. Sometimes the budget disappears. Sometimes they’re just terrible at communicating. I learned to detach my self-worth from the process and not take it personally when companies didn’t choose me. If anything, getting rejected from some of those roles ended up being a blessing in disguise — because I landed somewhere even better.
Persistence Pays Off
By the end of the week, I was exhausted. Job hunting is mentally draining, and after submitting 50 applications, I felt like I had done everything I could. But that one offer? It made the whole process worth it.
If I had stopped at 10, 20, or even 40 applications, I might have never landed an interview with that company. The biggest takeaway? Applying to jobs is a numbers game, but it’s also an endurance game. Keep going, even when it feels pointless. You only need one yes.
Would I Do It Again?
Applying to 50 jobs in a week was intense, but it taught me so much about how the hiring process actually works. I learned to focus on volume without sacrificing quality, tailor my resume to include keywords, and leverage networking to get past the resume black hole.
Most importantly, I learned that job searching is full of rejection and delays—but that doesn’t mean you won’t land something great. If you’re currently job hunting, just know: it’s not you, it’s the system. Keep applying, keep networking, and don’t take rejection personally. Your “yes” is coming!
