Why “Just Keep Applying” Might Be the Worst Career Advice You’re Following

For jobseekers who are tired of working hard and getting nothing back

When Effort Feels Useless

You’re told to keep applying.

So you do.

10 jobs today.

15 more tomorrow.

You tweak your resume. Click apply.

Wait. Repeat.

But nothing changes.

Still no interview. Still no feedback. Still no direction.

And somewhere between Job #37 and Job #49…

You stop believing that effort = progress.

The truth? “Just keep applying” isn’t always bad advice—but it’s deeply incomplete

Meet Aanya

Aanya graduated with a business degree last summer. She was smart, organized, and did everything “right.”

She made a resume on Canva.

Applied to over 80 jobs on LinkedIn.

Even made a color-coded tracker to keep up.

But every time her phone pinged—it was another rejection.

She told herself:

"Just keep going. Numbers game. Something will land."

But after 3 months, she wasn’t just unemployed—she was burnt out.

Then she changed one thing

She picked 3 jobs she actually wanted.

She rewrote her resume for each.

She messaged someone who worked there.

In 3 weeks, she landed 2 interviews—and 1 offer.

⚠️ The Illusion of Progress

“Applying more” feels right.

It keeps you busy. It gives you hope.

But it’s often just motion, not momentum.

Like running on a treadmill—you’re sweating, but you’re not moving forward.

🧠 Why This Happens (And Why It's So Common)

The advice to "keep applying" appeals to your brain’s need for control.

Especially when you're anxious or laid off—it gives you something to do.

But here's the problem:

🚫 Most resumes look the same.

🚫 Most people don’t tailor their message.

🚫 Most hiring managers can spot a spray-and-pray application from a mile away.

So your effort becomes invisible.

Ask this right now:

“Am I applying with intention—or just because I’m scared to sit still?”

If you're not tailoring your resume, not understanding the JD deeply, and not connecting with someone at the company—

You're hoping, not strategizing

🎯 How Focus Beats Volume

Aanya didn’t get lucky.

She got specific.

Here’s what worked for her:

1. She picked roles she genuinely wanted.
2. She rewrote her resume to speak their language.
3. She reached out to humans—not just portals.

This is how you stop being “just another resume” and start being the obvious choice.

Your Next Move

Choose one job today.

Then:

• Read the job description like it's an exam question.
• Customize your resume to echo what they care about.
• Send a thoughtful message to someone in the company.

🎯 1 focused application > 50 generic ones.

Don’t Hustle Blind

The pressure to "do more" is real.

But doing more of the wrong thing doesn’t get you closer to the right opportunity.

Quality beats quantity—every time.

And your energy deserves better than a black hole of rejections.