Why great candidates are getting overlooked

Over the past years, a growing number of job seekers have shared their frustrating experience with me. Endless job applications, minimal replies and rejections without feedback. Despite having strong CVs, relevant experience and do targeted applications. If you are feeling this way, you are not alone. In fact, it's becoming the new normal. But why is this happening and what can you actually do about it?

The reality of job searching today

The hiring landscape has shifted dramatically in just a few years. Today, you are competing in an oversaturated market: layoffs across industries, economic uncertainty and the rise of remote work have created a global talent pool. For every open role, you’re competing against hundreds sometimes even thousands of other applicants.

On top of that, you are up against automated filters. Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan and rank resumes before a human even looks at them. A great candidate like you might get filtered out because of small keyword mismatches or formatting choices you didn't even know mattered.

Then there are the ghost jobs, roles you apply to that aren’t actually being filled. Sometimes companies post these jobs just to build a future candidate pool, hit internal benchmarks or because hiring plans changed without the listing being updated.

Further, recruiters are overwhelmed dealing with an overload of applications and jobs to fill. Even when your application is strong, it might not get a reply simply because the person on the other end is managing too many candidates with too few resources.

And even when you do match the job requirements closely, shifting hiring priorities make it tougher. Companies are more risk-averse than ever, looking for near-perfect fits and sometimes even that isn't enough if budgets freeze or business needs change without warning.

How to stand out

When landing a role feels tougher than ever, first thing to think is you just need to polish your CV a little. But the truth is, standing out today requires a different approach that goes beyond surface-level tweaks. Here’s how you can start making a real difference.

First, focus on relationships, not just applications. Around 80% of jobs are filled through some form of networking rather than cold applications. If you can get a friendly introduction even from a second-degree connection your chances of landing an interview increase dramatically.
Set up informational interviews whenever you can. Even a 15-minute casual chat with someone in your industry can open doors you didn’t know existed.
Stay visible, too. Engage thoughtfully with people on LinkedIn: share posts, comment meaningfully and build a small but consistent digital presence that keeps you top of mind.
Always remember: you’re building relationships, not just asking for favors.

Second, customize! In a market this crowded, a generic application gets you nowhere.
Mirror the language you see in the job description when you write your CV and cover letter. Show that you understand the company’s specific challenges, not just that you’re generally qualified.
Update your LinkedIn headline and summary to match the kind of roles you’re aiming for, using keywords recruiters are actually searching for.
Use templates if you must but tweak them carefully for every role. The details matter more than ever.

Third, go beyond the resume and show proof.
Companies today are extremely risk-averse. You can ease that fear by giving them something tangible.
Even if you’re not in a creative field, consider putting together a portfolio short project summaries, writing samples or mini case studies that show how you approach problems and the impact you make.
If your recent experience doesn’t feel strong enough, highlight personal projects, certifications or anything else that proves your initiative.
Don’t just tell people what you’ve done, now you need to show them.

Fourth, use direct contact the right way.
Sometimes the smartest move is to bypass the traditional application process altogether.
Look for the hiring manager or a team member on LinkedIn and send a short, respectful message explaining why you’re excited about the work they’re doing and how you could contribute.
Avoid sending generic "Are you hiring?" messages but instead make sure your outreach is personalized to show that you’ve done your homework.
In a world of mass applications, a 30-second thoughtful message can set you apart instantly.

Fifth, job searching today isn’t just a tactical challenge, it’s an emotional one.
Instead of measuring your success by offers alone, set goals you can control, like the number of quality applications you send or the networking conversations you have each week.
Build in rest days to protect your mental health, go for daily walks or what you like. Stay connected to a community, go to meetups, talk to friends when you need a pick me up.

Job searching today isn’t easy and if you're feeling frustrated or discouraged, you’re definitely not alone. Stay resilient, stay focused.
Good luck on your journey, enjoy the process where you can and don’t hesitate to reach out if you ever want advice, encouragement or just someone to talk to about your search. I'm always happy to connect and help where I can.