corpcope“Thank you for applying”
I've applied to hundreds of jobs and gotten almost no responses.
What's really going on
- Most applications never reach a human. An applicant tracking system (ATS) scans and ranks CVs by keyword match first, and an odd format or missing keywords can filter you out automatically.
- Popular postings pull in 200 to 400+ applicants, so even a strong CV is fighting sheer volume, not just quality.
- Some postings are "ghost jobs": never seriously open, already filled internally, or kept up to build a pipeline. You can't tell which from the outside.
- A generic CV sent to everything reads as "I need a job" rather than "I fit this job," and both the software and the humans notice.
What to say
"Hi [name], I just applied for [role] at [company] and I really like what your team is building. I've got [X years] in [relevant area]. Would you be up for a quick chat about the role, or could you point my application toward the hiring manager?"
Change the words so they sound like you, but keep the tone.
Still in the guide for this situation
- 8 steps to take, in order
- 2 more word-for-word scripts
- 3 mistakes to avoid
- 1 sign it's time to escalate or leave
Plus the 24 other situations and the bonus chapter.
