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The job application process is pretty frustrating these days. Every job I've had thus far has come from someone in my network, and that's been great. Recently,

The job application process is pretty frustrating these days. Every job I've had thus far has come from someone in my network, and that's been great. Recently, though, a "big" tech company (not a FAANG, but you've heard of them) had a posting I think I'd have been a great fit for. Seemed like the only real entry point for those kinds of roles is to toss the resume into the pile in the automated system and cross your fingers. A recruiter friend of mine (from a different company, in a different industry) advised me not to submit a cover letter. He seemed to perceive them as more of an annoyance than anything. Anyway, never got a call back, which I don't take personally - I know there are probably hundreds of applications and that getting a call is probably at least 50% luck. I also know that the market is flooded now, and I have a good job already, so it's hard to get too bent out of shape. In hindsight I wonder if a cover letter would have helped my app stand out. But either way, it's frustrating seeing a posting that looks like a great fit and feeling like the odds are so slim for even getting to talk to someone and actually having a chance of making a good impression.

thebigspacefuck 3y ago
Any time I’ve written a cover letter I’ve gotten rejected and all of my offers to interview have been without them.
- exac 3y ago
  Over the last 15 years, I have had the same experience (sample size is tiny though).
HellDunkel 3y ago
I recommend getting back and asking about the state your application whenever possible. This helped me recently while having little hope it would.
- epiccoleman 3y ago
  In my example, I was actually able to nudge a recruiting coordinator for the company who I found on LinkedIn, who told me they would make sure my app got some eyes on it (did they actually do that? who can say?). But in the general case, it's not clear who you'd reach out to. There's not usually an email given - you toss your resume into the pile and hope someone calls you.
  - HellDunkel 3y ago
    Yes, big cooperations are different. I did apply at a design company and assumed my application was just one of many and did not appeal to them. It turned out they had just messed up and forgot to set up an interview.
- endemic 3y ago
  After applying to a faceless mega-corp, I somehow found the hiring manager on LinkedIn and politely messaged them. Totally ghosted me. Later received the customary automated rejection email.
  - epiccoleman 3y ago
    Like I mentioned in the sibling, I did the same thing, and I was a bit hesitant because I figured it may come off wrong. The person in question did reply and was very nice, so I give them credit. But I think at the end of the day the maximal nudge they could give was just "hey, make sure we put eyes on this dude's resume." It's a boost for sure, and I appreciated it - but still never got an email back? I think my resume is nice, but it just doesn't give the full picture, and it's pretty hard to get across the experience that made me think I was a good fit in that format. I'm confident that, had I gotten to the initial phone screen, I'd have at least gotten to the next step in their process, but who can say. Further, who knows if I could have passed the tech portion of the interview - and this company's is apparently pretty tough. If it's tough in the leetcode sense, I would very likely not pass it (at least without studying, which I wouldn't have had time for in this situation). Anyway, was still worth it to take a shot, I have a good gig already so I'm not in the situation where I'm desperately throwing out dozens of apps - but this role did seem cool and I still think I could have done the job really well.

thebigspacefuck 3y ago

Any time I’ve written a cover letter I’ve gotten rejected and all of my offers to interview have been without them.

exac 3y ago
Over the last 15 years, I have had the same experience (sample size is tiny though).

HellDunkel 3y ago

I recommend getting back and asking about the state your application whenever possible. This helped me recently while having little hope it would.

epiccoleman 3y ago
In my example, I was actually able to nudge a recruiting coordinator for the company who I found on LinkedIn, who told me they would make sure my app got some eyes on it (did they actually do that? who can say?). But in the general case, it's not clear who you'd reach out to. There's not usually an email given - you toss your resume into the pile and hope someone calls you.
- HellDunkel 3y ago
  Yes, big cooperations are different. I did apply at a design company and assumed my application was just one of many and did not appeal to them. It turned out they had just messed up and forgot to set up an interview.
endemic 3y ago
After applying to a faceless mega-corp, I somehow found the hiring manager on LinkedIn and politely messaged them. Totally ghosted me. Later received the customary automated rejection email.
- epiccoleman 3y ago
  Like I mentioned in the sibling, I did the same thing, and I was a bit hesitant because I figured it may come off wrong. The person in question did reply and was very nice, so I give them credit. But I think at the end of the day the maximal nudge they could give was just "hey, make sure we put eyes on this dude's resume." It's a boost for sure, and I appreciated it - but still never got an email back? I think my resume is nice, but it just doesn't give the full picture, and it's pretty hard to get across the experience that made me think I was a good fit in that format. I'm confident that, had I gotten to the initial phone screen, I'd have at least gotten to the next step in their process, but who can say. Further, who knows if I could have passed the tech portion of the interview - and this company's is apparently pretty tough. If it's tough in the leetcode sense, I would very likely not pass it (at least without studying, which I wouldn't have had time for in this situation). Anyway, was still worth it to take a shot, I have a good gig already so I'm not in the situation where I'm desperately throwing out dozens of apps - but this role did seem cool and I still think I could have done the job really well.