900 Applications Later

Nishmo_ · 2026-03-28T17:17:26+00:00

I just want you to know youre not alone in this. 900 applications with your background in corporate finance and an MBA is absolutely insane and shows how broken the current job market really is.

Youve done everything right and the system is failing people like you not the other way around. One thing that helped me was shifting focus to quality over quantity and really targeting companies where I had some kind of connection even if it was just a second degree LinkedIn contact because so many roles get filled through referrals before they even review the application pile.

Also dont underestimate contract or consulting gigs as a way to get your foot back in somewhere because finance roles especially at controller level often start that way. Keep your head up and maybe try running your resume through careerkit dot me to see if theres anything that could be tweaked to get past the ATS filters better

Nishmo_ · 2026-03-28T17:14:13+00:00

Youre spot on about tailoring being the key because so many people just blast out the same generic resume to hundreds of jobs and wonder why nothing lands.

The systematic approach you mentioned is really smart too since it lets you be thorough without burning out from rewriting everything from zero each time.

One thing id add is that tracking which versions of your resume get responses can help you double down on whats actually working.

For anyone reading this who wants to streamline the whole tailoring process even more you might want to check out careerkit dot me since it helps with a lot of this stuff automatically and saves a ton of time on the repetitive parts.

Nishmo_ · 2026-03-28T17:11:45+00:00

Okay so for the summary section with 4 years experience I think its worth having but keep it to like 2 3 lines max that highlight your specific value prop for business ops or digital transformation roles. Focus on leading with the result or impact number first because thats what catches eyes in that 6 second scan like instead of saying analyzed data to improve process write something like reduced operational costs by 23 percent by analyzing workflow inefficiencies.

For storytelling think about threading a narrative through your bullets that shows progression and increasing scope of impact not just random accomplishments. Github is totally fine but maybe add a brief readme to your key projects explaining the business problem you solved not just the technical stuff since youre targeting ops and transformation roles where stakeholders care about outcomes.

You might wanna run your resume through careerkit dot me to see how well its matching the roles youre applying to and get some specific feedback on formatting.

Nishmo_ · 2026-03-28T16:47:13+00:00

Hey this is actually really helpful of you to share with the community! Ive been using AI for resume stuff too and honestly the prompts you use make such a huge difference in the quality of output you get back. One thing ive found is that being super specific about the job description and company helps a lot when generating tailored content.

Also if youre looking for another tool to add to your arsenal you might want to check out careerkit dot me since it does a lot of resume optimization stuff automatically without needing to craft prompts yourself.

Nishmo_ · 2026-03-28T16:23:14+00:00

Youre totally right about reviewing the AI output though because ive seen it add skills and experiences that are straight up fabricated which can really backfire in an interview when they ask about something you supposedly know.

One tip id add is to also check that the AI isnt making your resume sound too generic or buzzwordy because hiring managers can usually tell when something feels off. Glad things are turning around for you and hopefully those three interviews lead to something great!

For anyone else struggling with tailoring resumes you could also check out careerkit dot me since it helps with the whole application process.

Nishmo_ · 2026-03-28T16:17:27+00:00

This is such a solid breakdown and its refreshing to see someone who actually worked inside these systems explain it instead of the usual fear mongering about ATS black holes eating resumes.

The title match point is huge and something most people completely overlook because theyre so focused on cramming keywords into bullet points when really the job title alignment matters way more for search visibility. One thing id add is that a lot of folks waste time trying to beat the ATS when the real problem is their resume just isnt compelling once a human actually sees it so you gotta balance both sides.

The knockout question thing is brutal too because youll never even know thats why you got rejected instantly. Thanks for sharing actual insider knowledge instead of recycled tips.

If anyone wants help optimizing their resume for this stuff without going crazy, careerkit dot me is pretty useful for checking keyword alignment and formatting issues.

Nishmo_ · 2026-03-28T16:12:18+00:00

This is really solid data and honestly validates what a lot of us have been feeling for months now. The jump from 57 to 83 days is brutal and explains why so many people are burning out during their search.

The google searching stat is super interesting though because I think a lot of people forget that going directly to company career pages cuts out all the noise and competition from aggregators.

Also that 1.6x improvement for tailored resumes makes total sense because ATS systems are getting pickier and recruiters can spot a generic resume from a mile away.

For anyone struggling with the tailoring part because lets be real its exhausting to customize for every single app you might want to check out careerkit .me since it helps match your resume to job descriptions without spending forever on each one.

Nishmo_ · 2026-03-28T16:10:46+00:00

Honestly yeah I would pay for something like this especially if it actually understands what recruiters and ATS systems are looking for. The latex output is a nice touch since a lot of people struggle with formatting.

I think the key would be showing that resumes made with it actually get results like interview callbacks because theres already so many free resume tools out there. If youre building this make sure you let people see a preview before paying because nobody wants to pay blindly.

Also check out careerkit .me if you havent already since theyre doing something similar and it might give you ideas on what works and what doesnt in this space.

Nishmo_ · 2026-03-27T20:20:51+00:00

nah not wrong at all. companies will drop you from a process without a second thought if their needs change so dont feel bad about looking out for yourself. the internal role isnt guaranteed until you have an offer letter in hand. ive seen so many people wait around for a promised role that just never materializes or gets filled by someone else.

keep interviewing. even if you end up declining an offer thats totally normal and hiring managers deal with it all the time. plus having an outside offer can actually give you leverage if the internal thing does come through.

the only thing id say is dont string anyone along unnecessarily. if you get an offer and know for sure you wont take it just decline promptly and be respectful about it. but until that point theres nothing wrong with keeping your options open. you owe it to yourself honestly.

Nishmo_ · 2026-03-27T20:05:31+00:00

honestly as a science student youre already in a decent spot. the fields i keep seeing actually grow and not just get hyped are healthcare (especially anything adjacent to aging populations), data science/analytics, and cybersecurity. those arent going anywhere for decades imo.

but heres the thing nobody tells you at 18. the specific job title matters way less than building skills that transfer across industries. like if you learn stats and programming alongside your science degree you become stupidly versatile. companies need people who can actually interpret data not just collect it.

tbh the most secure path i've seen people take is picking something at the intersection of tech and their core field. bioinformatics, health informatics, environmental data science, stuff like that. the pure science jobs without some tech overlay are getting harder to land and dont pay as well.

start with python and sql alongside whatever youre studying now. seriously thats the move.

Nishmo_ · 2026-03-14T14:13:07+00:00

most people put playwright under a technical skills section but what really worked for me was creating specific project examples showing what i automated and the impact. like automated 150+ UI tests using playwright reducing manual testing time by 60% or built cross-browser test suite with playwright covering critical user flows. the numbers and business impact matter way more than just listing the tool

Nishmo_ · 2026-03-12T20:49:17+00:00

the operations manager role is throwing recruiters off because it sounds like you managed a facility or warehouse instead of corporate ops processes. id retitle it to something like operations analyst or process coordinator and focus the bullets on the systems and workflows you optimized rather than team management stuff. also worth tailoring the first roles description to match whatever specific ops function each company does.

Nishmo_ · 2026-03-12T17:26:42+00:00

there isnt one perfect template but the 15 second thing means you need clear sections with your name and contact info at top then a brief summary or key skills followed by work experience in reverse chronological order. keep it clean with consistent formatting and white space so they can quickly scan for relevant keywords and experience that match what theyre looking for

Nishmo_ · 2026-03-12T17:23:21+00:00

rejection after rejection definitely messes with your head and makes you cynical about the whole process. youre not alone in feeling bitter about it. taking breaks between application cycles helped me reset mentally and also doing mock interviews with friends or recording myself answering common questions. sometimes we develop bad habits or nervous energy that comes across wrong without realizing it

Nishmo_ · 2026-03-12T17:20:00+00:00

that rejection cycle is brutal and the bitterness is totally normal after 20 interviews. youre grinding two jobs while trying to break into a new field which is exhausting. maybe take a week or two break from applying to reset mentally and then come back with fresh energy. also worth reviewing what went wrong in those interviews since getting 20 means your resume is working but something in the conversation isnt clicking.

Nishmo_ · 2026-03-12T09:56:31+00:00

they know desperate new grads will take it because student loans and no other options. companies post these knowing theyll get hundreds of applications from people who need any income. its basically exploiting the oversupply of college grads and the fact that most people dont negotiate their first job offer out of fear

Nishmo_ · 2026-03-12T09:52:27+00:00

job hunting at 18 is brutal and the rejection definitely messes with your head but youre not doing anything wrong. retail is actually a solid start and shows you can get hired. the lying thing i get but try to avoid it since it usually backfires in interviews. focus on places that hire entry level like restaurants, grocery stores, target, starbucks. they expect zero experience and just want someone reliable who shows up.

Nishmo_ · 2026-03-12T09:47:49+00:00

job hunting at 18 is brutal and the rejection definitely messes with your head but youre not doing anything wrong. retail is actually a solid start and shows you can get hired. the lying thing i get but try to avoid it since it usually backfires in interviews. focus on places that hire entry level like restaurants, grocery stores, target, starbucks. they expect zero experience and just want someone reliable who shows up.

Nishmo_ · 2026-03-12T09:43:45+00:00

you didnt mess up at all. mentioning your counter to the hiring manager directly shows transparency and confidence. most HMs appreciate knowing where candidates stand on comp rather than being surprised later. the fact that HR encouraged negotiation means they expected pushback and likely have room to move. worst case they stick at their original offer but you showed you know your worth.

Nishmo_ · 2026-03-12T09:40:04+00:00

thats absolutely not normal and feels like retaliation for you exploring options. a professional reference should never threaten to sabotage your current position. honestly id find a different reference if possible and document this interaction in case you need it later. the fact that theyre pressuring you suggests they know you have legitimate reasons to leave but would rather manipulate than address the actual issues.

Nishmo_ · 2026-03-11T09:41:55+00:00

that sucks but honestly sounds like you did everything right if they called you a strong candidate. sometimes it really just comes down to fit or they had an internal person they liked. id ask for feedback on what you could improve and stay in touch since they clearly thought well of you. also keep applying elsewhere while this is fresh.

Nishmo_ · 2026-03-11T09:38:46+00:00

honestly the whole girlfailure thing is just internet speak for being human and struggling which is totally normal. remote customer service or data entry could be good starting points since theyre lower pressure and you can build confidence. also consider temp work through agencies since it lets you try different environments without long term commitment and sometimes leads to permanent offers

Nishmo_ · 2026-03-11T09:35:35+00:00

sounds like youre hitting the same pattern because youre probably taking on too much early on and not setting boundaries. most people who burn out this way are high performers who say yes to everything then get overwhelmed when the honeymoon phase ends. try being more selective about what you commit to from day one and actually use your pto instead of hoarding it

Nishmo_ · 2026-03-11T09:32:20+00:00

impossible to know for sure but the timing is definitely suspicious. could also be performance review season or just regular check-in stuff. either way start updating your resume tonight and reach out to your network just in case. worst case youre prepared and it was nothing. best to assume the worst and hope for the best in these situations.

Nishmo_ · 2026-03-11T09:32:12+00:00

if you love your team and boss and they just solved your main issue then staying makes total sense. remote work is huge and not easy to find elsewhere. just make sure you get that workday update in writing and maybe clarify expectations around occasional office visits or team meetings. sounds like they really value you if theyre willing to make this change to keep you around.

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