"Can't interview for a whole year" is the exception - six months is more common. Unless you're a specialist in a narrow technical area, there's an essentially

"Can't interview for a whole year" is the exception - six months is more common. Unless you're a specialist in a narrow technical area, there's an essentially infinite number of potential employers. Not applying often enough is a more common mistake than "applying too often / applying too early." "Market forces" and "below the standards" are not independent. Market forces influence supply, and demand (the interview standard) has to respond. By far the best way to get a job at any company is by having a recommendation from someone who works there. (Specifically, this trumps meeting the written job requirements.) I'm not saying it's easy, but ... use your network.