Why Is It So Hard for Me to Find a Job Even Though I Keep Applying? 

Many freshers and job seekers apply to jobs every day, but still don’t get replies. After a point, it starts feeling frustrating and confusing.

You may start thinking:

• “Am I not good enough?”

• “Why am I not getting shortlisted?”

• “Is the job market really that bad?”

• “What am I doing wrong?”

The truth is: getting a job is not only about applying more.
It is about applying in the right way, with the right profile, at the right places.

Below is a step-by-step breakdown of why this happens and what you can do to fix it.

Step 1: Understand That Applying Alone Is Not Enough

Many candidates believe:

“If I apply to 100 jobs, I will surely get one.”

But in reality, most job applications fail because:

• the resume is not strong enough

• the skills don’t match the role

• the application is not reaching recruiters

• the candidate is applying in the wrong way

So, the first step is understanding:
Quantity helps, but strategy matters more.

Step 2: Check If Your Resume Is Getting Rejected by ATS

Most companies use ATS (Applicant Tracking System).
ATS filters resumes before a human sees them.

If your resume:

• has poor formatting

• is not keyword-friendly

• lacks job-related skills

• is too long or unclear

Then you won’t get shortlisted—even if you are capable.

What to do:

• Use a simple 1-page resume

• Add job-specific keywords

• Highlight skills and projects clearly

• Remove unnecessary details

Step 3: Stop Applying to Every Job (Apply Smartly)

Many freshers apply randomly to every job they see.

This reduces your chances because:

• your resume doesn’t match most roles

• recruiters reject quickly

• you waste time on irrelevant jobs

What to do:

Apply only where:

• your skills match at least 60%

• you can explain the role requirements

• you have projects related to that role

Step 4: Improve Your Profile Proof (Projects Matter)

Freshers often write skills in their resume like:

• Java

• Python

• SQL

• HTML

• React

But recruiters want proof.

They look for:

• projects

• GitHub links

• portfolio

• internship work

• certifications with practical tasks

What to do:

Build 2–3 strong projects and add:

• project description

• technologies used

• what you implemented

• GitHub/portfolio link

Projects increase shortlisting chances a lot.

Step 5: Your LinkedIn Profile Might Be Weak

Even if you apply through job portals, many recruiters check LinkedIn.

If your LinkedIn profile is incomplete, it reduces trust.

What to do:

• Add a professional photo

• Write a strong headline

• Add skills and projects

• Update education and certifications

• Add your resume link

Step 6: You Might Be Missing Referrals and Networking

Many jobs are filled through:

• referrals

• internal hiring

• networking

• campus connections

If you only apply on portals, your chances are lower.

What to do:

• message employees politely on LinkedIn

• ask for referrals

• join job groups

• connect with seniors and alumni

Even 1 referral can increase your chances more than 50 applications.

Step 7: You Are Not Customizing Your Resume

If you use the same resume for every job, recruiters may reject it.

Because each job has different requirements.

What to do:

• edit your skills section based on the job

• highlight matching projects

• update the resume summary for the role

This small change increases your shortlisting chances.

Step 8: Your Skills May Not Match Industry Expectations

Sometimes candidates apply continuously, but they lack:

• problem-solving practice

• interview-level preparation

• basic knowledge clarity

Even if they know topics, they cannot clear tests.

What to do:

Focus on:

• coding practice

• aptitude practice

• mock interviews

• communication improvement

Step 9: You May Be Applying at the Wrong Places

Some job portals have:

• outdated job posts

• fake listings

• expired openings

So your application may not even reach a recruiter.

What to do:

Apply on:

• company career pages

• LinkedIn jobs

• trusted hiring platforms

• official off-campus drives

Step 10: Stay Consistent and Upgrade Weekly

Job search is not a one-day process.
Sometimes it takes time due to competition and hiring cycles.

Weekly improvement plan:

• Apply to 10–15 relevant jobs

• Improve 1 resume section

• Build 1 project feature

• Practice 20 coding questions

• Do 1 mock interview

This keeps you progressing instead of feeling stuck.

Final Conclusion

If you keep applying and still don’t get a job, it doesn’t mean you are not capable.

In most cases, the problem is one of these:

• Resume not ATS-friendly

• Applying randomly instead of smartly

• Lack of strong projects

• Weak LinkedIn profile

• No referrals or networking

• Skills not aligned with job roles

Once you fix these step-by-step, your chances of getting shortlisted will improve significantly.