Get Traction in Your Job Search

Recently, a job seeker said something that really stuck with me:

“I’ve spent months getting organized around my job search, but once I started applying, I hit a wall. I’m not getting much traction, and it’s starting to weigh on me.”

I’ve been there.

So have a lot of job seekers I talk to.

That moment when you’ve updated your resume, started applying, and… not much is happening.

It’s disheartening and if you’ve been searching for more than a few weeks without traction, it can start to feel like something’s wrong.

But often, it’s not you - it’s the system you’re using (or not using yet).

Why You Might Be Stuck

At a certain point, job search progress becomes harder to measure. You’re applying. You’re showing up. But without interviews or feedback, it can feel like you’re shouting into the void.

That’s where a weekly routine and feel-good productivity come in.

What’s Worked for Me (And Can Work for You Too)

When I hit this wall in my own search, I made one change that shifted everything:

I stopped treating each job application like a shot in the dark and started treating my job search like a process I could refine.

Here’s what that looked like:

#1 - I committed to a weekly routine

I set a goal of applying to 8–10 roles per week. This gave me a rhythm I could stick to and enough volume to learn from.

#2 - I tracked simple but meaningful data

For each role I applied to, I noted:

• How well it matched my ideal role (based on my Career Must-Haves)
• Whether it was remote, hybrid, or in-office
• Whether I had a referral

#3 - I reviewed and reflected weekly

After a few weeks, I noticed patterns:

• I was getting about 1 interview for every 10 applications.
• Every interview I landed was either through a referral or for an in-office role in Austin.
• I hadn’t landed a single interview for a remote role without a referral.

Those insights helped me stop wasting time and energy. I started focusing more on local roles and doubling down on networking.

If You’re Stuck, Try This

Here are a few questions I often ask job seekers who are feeling stuck:

• Have you applied to at least 25-30 roles? If so, what trends are emerging?
• Which roles have gotten you interviews (or responses)? What was different about your approach for those?
• What small tweak can you test over the next two weeks? (Broader industry? More referrals? Local roles?)

If you're thinking "but i haven't gotten interviews yet" - I hear you. That's where the real beauty of this approach comes in. It still works even if you haven't gotten interviews. You can still find a small tweak or change to test over the next couple of weeks.

The key isn’t overhauling your whole strategy overnight.

It’s creating a system that helps you learn as you go.

That’s what gets you moving again and helps you build momentum that feels good and sustainable.

Want a Tool That Helps You Stay Focused?

That’s exactly why I created The Job Search Journal.

It’s a simple, research-backed tool to help you:

• Set and stick to a weekly routine
• Track your progress without overthinking it
• Reflect on what’s working (and what’s not)
• Stay grounded and productive without burning out

If you’re applying but not getting traction, this tool can help you course-correct without second-guessing every step.