Applying everywhere, hearing nothing? 5 reasons — and the fix

You’ve applied to 50 jobs and heard nothing back, and you’ve decided the market is dead or something’s wrong with you. Usually it’s five fixable things.

1. Your CV is generic. The same resume for every job gets filtered out. Fix: tailor it to each job’s keywords so it passes the ATS.
2. No projects, no proof. A CV with only coursework looks like everyone else’s. Fix: put 2–3 real projects with GitHub links front and center.
3. You’re applying cold. Spraying 50 applications with no referral rarely works. Fix: message one person at the company on LinkedIn and ask for advice, not a job — a referral beats 50 cold applies.
4. You apply late. Most callbacks go to early applicants. Fix: apply within the first 48 hours of a posting.
5. Your LinkedIn is empty or vague. Recruiters check it and bounce. Fix: a clear headline (skill + stack), your projects in Featured, and an About that reads like a person.

None of this is luck. Fix these five and the silence usually breaks. Start with your CV and your GitHub — those two carry the most weight.