You've been applying and hearing nothing back. That's frustrating. Let's diagnose what might be happening.
Check your numbers first
Go to Dashboard > Trends and look at your conversion funnel.
- Response rate below 10%? This is common. The average is 5-15%. If you're in that range, you may just need more volume.
- Response rate below 5%? Something in your application might need adjustment.
Common reasons (and fixes)
1. Resume doesn't match the job description
Use Orbit's Resume Tailor to rewrite your resume for each application. Check the ATS score — aim for 70%+.
2. Applying to the wrong level
If you're applying to Senior roles as a mid-level, or Director roles as a Senior, companies may filter you out. Look at jobs one level below your target too.
3. No network contact at the company
Applications with an internal referral are 5-10x more likely to get a response. For your top choices, find someone at the company on LinkedIn.
4. Generic cover letter (or none)
Use Orbit's Cover Letter tool to generate a tailored letter for important applications.
5. Timing
Some industries hire cyclically. Check if your field has seasonal patterns.
What to do this week
- Pick your 3 highest-priority jobs
- Tailor your resume for each (Resume > AI Tailor)
- Find and add a contact at each company
- Send a personalized follow-up if you applied 7+ days ago
- Ask Scout Chat: "Review my pipeline and suggest what to improve"
Emotional check
Rejection silence is hard. Do a mood check-in. If you're in a rough patch, Orbit's Quiet Mode reduces dashboard intensity and shows encouragement instead of metrics.
Remember: It takes an average of 100-200 applications to land an offer. You're building toward something, even when it doesn't feel like it.