A Journey of 2100 Applications: Finding My Place in the Job Market

If you find yourself still in pursuit of a job, let me reassure you: it’s not a sign of failure.

I began my job search in spring 2023, and after what felt like an eternity—18 months of doubt and emotional turmoil—I finally received my job offer in winter 2025. The journey was fraught with more silence than I ever expected, and I often felt completely invisible in a crowded marketplace. With four internships under my belt from college, two at well-known firms, and a respectable GPA, I initially believed that sheer effort in applying for numerous positions would yield results. Unfortunately, after sending out hundreds of applications each month to any role that remotely resembled my skills, doubt started to creep in.

Eventually, I took a step back—not because I had given up, but because I realized that my approach wasn’t working. Then, out of nowhere, after yet another exhaustive round of interviews, the call I had been waiting for finally came through.

Revamping My Approach

Tailored Resumes: I created six distinct resumes, each customized for different job types. This required painstakingly rewriting my experience to align with job descriptions and utilizing tools such as ChatGPT.com/">ChatGPT to refine every detail accordingly.

Preparing for Interviews: I also made use of AMA Interviews to access a variety of authentic interview questions tailored to my roles. I discovered, particularly from my extensive internship experiences, that many of the larger companies had similar questions, so I strategically concentrated on preparing for those. I practiced behavioral interview techniques, rehearsing answers on my commute as I silently repeated my STAR responses.

Targeted Job Searches: I moved away from relying heavily on platforms like LinkedIn and Handshake for quick apply options. Instead, I focused on applying directly through company websites, reaching out to recruiters proactively, and exploring startup roles that were often missing from major job boards. I recognized the importance of targeting specific job roles rather than adopting a broad approach. This path wasn’t devoid of challenges; there were still months where I received no responses, and I often participated in networking calls while battling feelings of imposter syndrome.

After