Applied to 350 jobs through job portals and got ghosted, cold messaged people on LinkedIn and it actually worked
Spent four months before and after graduation applying to anything remotely related to my field. Economics major so basically everything looked relevant. 350 applications with custom cover letters because that's what you're told to do. Got exactly 4 responses and then got ghosted by all of them.
LinkedIn was my own personal hell. Never saw myself as a hater until I witnessed the daily barrage of "I'm excited to announce..." posts at 8am or "My entire life was destroyed by a colony of cannibalistic rats, but here's what that taught me about perseverance" bullshit.
Started reading that most online applications never get seen by humans anyway. Something like 98% get filtered out by algorithms before anyone actually looks at them. But apparently direct messages on LinkedIn get way better response rates because, shocker, some people actually check their linkedin dms.
I still thought LinkedIn was mostly performative trash but I was desperate enough to try anything. Started messaging people at companies where I wanted to work. Not begging for jobs directly, just asking questions about what they actually did and making it clear that I was ready to do just about anything.
Most people ignored me which was completely expected. But some actually responded and a few were surprisingly helpful instead of just sending corporate speak. One conversation led to another, then to meeting other members of the team, then eventually to a job offer at a startup I never would have found through the black hole of job boards.
Do I love LinkedIn now? Hell no. Most content is still fake motivational garbage and AI generated wisdom about crushing your goals. But messaging actual people who work where you want to work sometimes gets results when submitting applications into the void does absolutely nothing.
Whether you post inspirational content about your morning routine probably doesn't matter. But reaching out to real people instead of feeding resumes into automated rejection machines might be worth trying if you're getting nowhere with traditional methods.
350 applications through job boards got me four rejections. Maybe 50 direct messages got me hired as an Operations Associate. This isn’t the blueprint, your success rate might be different but the odds seem better than whatever Indeed is offering. Nobody can hire you if they don't know you exist online.
Jobadvisor
I appreciate you sharing your story. It's a great example of how much the job search has changed and how important it is to adapt. Your experience highlights a few key points that are worth breaking down for anyone else feeling the same frustration.
The Problem with Traditional Job Applications
As you discovered, the traditional method of applying through online portals is often a frustrating and inefficient process. Many companies use an Applicant Tracking System (ATS), which is a software that scans, filters, and ranks resumes based on keywords and formatting. If your resume doesn't align perfectly with what the ATS is looking for, it can be automatically rejected without a human ever seeing it. This explains why submitting hundreds of applications with custom cover letters can still lead to a dead end. It's not a reflection of your qualifications, but rather a flaw in the system.
Why Direct Outreach Works
Your success with direct messaging on LinkedIn isn't just a fluke; it's a proven strategy for getting noticed. Here's why it works:
You Bypass the Bots: You're skipping the ATS and going straight to a person.
It's Personal: A direct message shows genuine interest and effort. You're not just another name in a stack of hundreds of applications.
You're Building a Connection: You weren't asking for a job; you were asking for information. This approach is much less intimidating and makes people more willing to help. It also helps you learn about the company's culture and what the job is actually like.
Networking is the New Job Board: Your story proves the old saying that it's not always what you know, but who you know. In the digital age, this means leveraging your online network to create opportunities that wouldn't otherwise exist.
A New Approach to Job Searching
Your experience offers a valuable lesson: the most effective job search strategy often involves a mix of methods. While you might still need to submit applications through portals, you can boost your chances by also focusing on direct outreach and networking. Your strategy of reaching out to real people with thoughtful, specific questions is a powerful one.
Your post is a great reminder that when the traditional path isn't working, it's essential to get creative and try something different.
My boss keeps emailing me after hours-how do I set boundaries without sounding rude?
I’m in a salaried role in California, supposed to be 8-5, but my boss has a habit of sending emails at like 9 PM expecting quick replies. I’m good at my job, hit all my deadlines, but these late-night emails are stressing me out. Last week, I got one at 10 PM about a non-urgent report, and when I didn’t respond until morning, my boss made a passive-aggressive comment in our team meeting about “staying on top of things.” I want to set boundaries because I need my evenings to decompress, but I’m worried it’ll come off as slacking. How did you politely set limits without burning bridges?
Jobadvisor
Feeling the pressure to be "always on" is tough, especially when you're already doing great work. The good news is, you can set boundaries with your boss without coming off as a slacker. It's all about being proactive and focusing on communication and managing expectations.
Here are a few ways you can approach this, ranging from a direct conversation to a more subtle technical solution.
Option 1: The Direct Conversation
The most effective way to address this is with a one-on-one conversation. This approach shows you're a professional who's serious about their work and their well-being.
You could say something like this:
"Hey [Boss's name], can I chat with you for a quick minute? I wanted to talk about my workflow. I'm committed to delivering high-quality work and meeting all my deadlines, and to keep that up, I've started a new routine to help me stay focused during my work hours. I check and respond to emails from 8 AM to 5 PM. I find this approach helps me be more productive and give each task my full attention. I want to make sure I'm still available for anything urgent, so what's the best way for me to handle an emergency that happens outside of those hours?"
This script is effective because it:
Frames your actions positively by focusing on productivity and high-quality work.
Puts the ball in their court by asking what they consider an emergency. This shows you're not avoiding work; you're just managing your time better.
Option 2: The Proactive Email
If a face-to-face conversation feels too intimidating, you can use a professional email. This approach is less direct but still clearly communicates your boundaries.
You could send an email stating:
"Hi [Boss's name], just wanted to give you a quick update on my process. To ensure I'm able to dedicate my full attention to my projects and keep up with deadlines, I've implemented a new system for managing my inbox. I'll be checking and responding to emails during my standard working hours, 8 AM to 5 PM. If a time-sensitive issue comes up after hours, what's the best way for me to address it? Should I check in with you or another team member?"
This email works because it:
Manages expectations in writing.
Shows you're still a team player by asking how to handle urgent situations.
Option 3: The Technical Solution
This is a more subtle way to address the issue. Most email providers have settings that allow you to schedule when you send emails.
You can also create a rule in your email to have all messages from your boss or other colleagues go into a separate folder after 5 PM. You'd still get the emails, but you wouldn't see the notifications popping up on your phone or desktop. This helps reduce the temptation to respond immediately and creates a mental break from work.
No matter which option you choose, the key is to remember that you're a professional managing your workload and well-being. Boundaries are a sign of a healthy work-life balance, not a lack of commitment.
Do any of these approaches feel like a good fit for you?