No Response to Job Applications? 5 Ways to Get More Traction in Your Search

Dear Lean In,

I’m job searching, I’ve sent out 60+ applications, and I’m barely hearing back. What am I doing wrong?!

— Chasing Callbacks

Dear Chasing,

This is a sadly common experience: around half of job seekers were ghosted by an employer in the past year. But on the flipside, nearly two-thirds of employers say they’re not finding candidates who match the job requirements. This means your job isn’t to be impressive in the abstract. It’s to make it unmistakably clear that you are the match for this listing. Here’s how to do that:

1. Narrow your search to close matches — and tailor everything. Recruiters describe 2026 as a more selective market where close fit matters. Search for roles that really line up with your skills and experience, and make sure your résumé and cover letter are both tailored to address the core job requirements.
2. Use ownership language. On all your materials, replace hedged language (“assisted,” “contributed to”) with direct ownership language (“led,” “built”). Women are more likely to use the first kind of language, men the second. While women can face penalties for self-promotion, it's essential to make sure your impact and leadership are clear. You can partly sidestep these penalties in two ways: First, organize your cover letter around the employer’s needs and how you’ll address them, not around your own skills. And second, follow the next tip.
3. Add quantified outcomes for every line on your résumé. This is old advice–but if you’re a woman, you should double down. Supporting all claims with objective numbers can combat unfair scrutiny of your performance. It also reduces the penalty women can face for self-promotion–even on their résumés–by making clear that your accomplishments were communal because they benefited your organization.
4. List your AI skills. Around two-thirds of employers now expect candidates to have AI skills, but men are 45% more likely to include these skills on their résumés. As noted earlier, be sure to include quantified outcomes.
5. Tell more people that you’re looking. Expanding your networking efforts can be critical, since 54% of employees say they’ve landed jobs through a connection.

Good luck in your continued search, and warm wishes,

— Dr. Mary Noble-Tolla, Head of Education, LeanIn.Org