Job search tips after layoff: Laid off three weeks ago, a digital marketing professional is struggling to get any responses from job applications, raising concerns about whether their resume is being filtered out by applicant tracking systems (ATS), as shared by a user on social media platform Reddit. This marks the third layoff in three years for the individual, who had previously secured interviews quickly after past layoffs.
Job Seeker Shares Frustrations on Reddit
Since September, the user has applied widely but seen almost no traction, only three interviews in October. One company ghosted, another was withdrawn after the initial screen, and the third involved five rounds before ending with a rejection, as per a post shared in a subreddit community r/Layoffs.
In his most recent effort, the employee applied to a LinkedIn posting and commented on the hiring manager’s post. The manager viewed the profile, but a rejection email arrived within 24 hours despite resume adjustments.
The user said, “well last week I came across a post on LinkedIn from a hiring manager about a job I thought would be a great fit. I immediately applied and then commented on her post. She looked at my LinkedIn profile but then within 24 hours, I got a rejection email. And I made sure to tweak my resume for that job,” as per the Reddit post.
Worries About ATS and Silence from Employers
The employee wondered if silence from employers signals automatic filtering by ATS systems or if a lack of response within a week essentially means a rejection. The user wrote, “Should I assume my resumes aren’t making it through the ATS? Or that if I haven’t heard back within a week that it’s a no?”
Financially, he can sustain himself for six months and possibly over a year but expressed concern about waiting too long and being forced to accept a lower-paying role.
Reddit Community Offers Advice
Reddit commenters offered advice and shared their personal experiences. Many noted that getting no response is common in today’s competitive job market and often reflects automated systems or overwhelmed hiring teams rather than the applicant’s qualifications.
Networking, Tailoring Resumes, and Referral Strategies
Users recommended strategies such as networking, asking for referrals, and carefully tailoring resumes to job descriptions. Some suggested working with resume specialists to increase the chances of passing ATS scans. Others encouraged applying to slightly lower-paying roles strategically, rather than taking a significant pay cut out of desperation.
Targeted Applications vs Volume Applications
One user recommended that the “Only thing that’s worked for me is treating volume differently from targeted apps. Volume = spray and pray, don’t expect responses. Targeted = research the company, tailor resume, maybe find someone to refer you. Only the targeted ones get responses these days.”
Working with Resume Experts Can Boost Responses
Another advised, “The market’s rough, but if you’re not even getting rejection emails, something might be off with your resume or how it’s getting through the ATS. I had the same issue: applied a ton, zero responses. After working with a resume expert and cleaning it up, I started hearing back,” adding, “Before taking a big pay cut, I’d fix the resume first and see if that changes things.”