Doing the same thing hundreds of times is insane
Introduction: Understanding the Problem
Applying to hundreds of jobs and getting nowhere? Do you know how that happens? That’s not a by-product of the market we’re in. That’s not having been taught a better way. If you are applying to hundreds of jobs and still coming up empty, something is wrong with your approach.
Why the Brute Force Approach Fails
Yes, you can, and others have, brute-forced their way through those hundreds of submissions and finally landed a job. My take is these are the exceptions. It is true the hiring process for design and tech is broken. Also, there are some valid reasons why breaking in is so difficult. But I can tell you, sending hundreds of applications isn’t normal or necessary.
Audit Your Job Search Process
Will you send more than a few applications? Yes. Maybe even a few dozen. But hundreds? Absolutely not. Take a step back and audit yourself. If you’re gunning for UX, you’re trying to get a job auditing and refining broken processes after all, right? Start with your own.
- ATS Issues: Are you applying through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATSs) on company career portals and never getting a response or being auto-rejected? Your resume is busted. *Bonus tip: If you are applying through ATSs on company career portals, stop. Seriously, just stop.
- LinkedIn Profile: Are recruiters not reaching out to you on LinkedIn? Your profile is busted.
- Recruiter Flakiness: Are recruiters reaching out to you, then flaking after one conversation? Something between your resume and portfolio is busted. Maybe both.
- Interview Rejections: Are you getting interviews but being told you don’t have enough experience? Your interview skills are busted. They already knew your experience before you talked to them. They needed to understand your working maturity level and if you understand their needs. “Not enough experience” is a catch-all.
Develop the Right Skills and Strategy
Getting a job in UX is not a rite of passage. It is a collection of skills that you practice and develop. Applying to hundreds of jobs is the same as practicing bad fundamentals. You will stunt your growth.
When you learn to get this right, you will be turning down more roles than you apply to. Think about that for a while. Instead of applying to hundreds of jobs, focus on refining your approach and perfecting your skills. Success will follow.
