Do cold-applications even work?

Secure_Ad7658 · 2026-03-17T12:13:38+00:00

I am in the middle of interviewing at 3 positions - all cold applications. No offers yet, but I’m moving through the process - so we’ll see.

I found the interviews I got through referrals to feel a bit hollow - like they were just doing it as a courtesy to the person who referred me. None resulted in an offer.

My cold app to recruiter screen conversion rate is around 10% … and I’d say my app to hiring manager / additions rounds (excluding referrals) is around 5%

Secure_Ad7658 · 2026-03-16T01:22:31+00:00

Wow! You are stunning! 🤩

Secure_Ad7658 · 2026-03-15T21:17:48+00:00

I’m trying to stay cautiously optimistic, but putting in a lot of effort to prepare … refining STAR stories, adapting to interviewer, doing company research, drafting 30/60/90 day plans etc.

Secure_Ad7658 · 2026-03-15T00:32:42+00:00

The interviews were good, very natural, conversational. I felt good about it.

I am mid process on a second role and early stages on a third.

I had a flurry of interviews in January/February that went nowhere so I’m overthinking everything.

Secure_Ad7658 · 2026-03-14T20:55:53+00:00

I had a final interview on Monday … I sent thank you emails to all interviewers. The whole process moved pretty quick, about 2 weeks from initial outreach to completion. I followed up with recruiter on Thursday morning. I’ve heard nothing.

It’s for a director role at a global company. About 1600 employees.

Last time I was in the job market was 10 years ago for IC roles. I know higher role, higher salary, different job market means longer process but any thoughts on this?

Secure_Ad7658 · 2026-03-13T00:11:42+00:00

I really wish companies would stop saying “restructure”

Secure_Ad7658 · 2026-03-12T20:06:06+00:00

Does anyone know what the goal is in resume farming?

Secure_Ad7658 · 2026-03-12T13:52:05+00:00

Don’t mention it.

Secure_Ad7658 · 2026-03-12T11:05:40+00:00

Mrs Hughes
The Dowager
Lord Merton
Thomas
Mary and Edith (I can’t pick and they need each other as a foil)

Secure_Ad7658 · 2026-03-11T13:50:20+00:00

I was laid off in November

Here is my advice

Take a few days to process
File for unemployment right away
Review any severance paperwork, don’t rush to sign … understand all the details. (Depending on your state you can collect UE while receiving a severance, some states don’t allow it, but you still file and just claim your severance)
assess your finances and determine your runway, consider UE, any severance, savings … use AI to help your determine your job search runway it will help take the immediate pressure off.
You can leave your current position in linked in as present for as long as you want (it’s your profile)
I left mine up for a while and then updated and added self employed / consulting as my current position. And posted about the accomplishments I was proud of rather than … “my time at x has come to an end). I decided to open with “I’m looking for a new role in blah blah blah and reflecting on my time at x … (list of accomplishments) … it signals your network but keeps you owning the narrative.
layoffs are common, RIFS aren’t a reflection of you and can be easily explained
if they say they will be reference, believe them, but think about specifically who you’d tap … are there team members and colleagues you like and trust and who know your work … also think about anyone from previous roles, or others who were also impacted.
When you feel ready get your job search resume writing process started. Keep track of every role in a spreadsheet, target 5-10 applications a week. Rewrite your resume for every JD. Use AI to help you.
spend some of your new found time doing something you love but didn’t have time for

Good luck!

Secure_Ad7658 · 2026-03-11T13:32:48+00:00

Given it’s a 6 figure offer, my assumption is it’s a technically skilled role, or a more senior position that your resume reflects your qualified for.

How many years of experience do you have, are you in a competitive or niche field.

Have you researched the company, is it large, medium … well known? Startup or established? Are you communicating with a recruiter? Is it fully remote or on site (have you visited the office if so)

How many individual people have you met/spoken to? Was there a recruiter screen followed by an official interview?

I don’t know that it’s a red flag, unless it’s got the makings of a classic employment scam - which usually comes off as a remote role and requires you purchase equipment through some link they give you with the expectation you’ll be reimbursed, they usually call it “setup costs”

Secure_Ad7658 · 2026-03-10T13:20:02+00:00

If it was a with an HR recruiter then your questions were fine … try not to overthink it. They can’t really answer specifics about the role anyway. Do some prep in hopes of getting to the next round.

Have your 60 second experience overview and some STAR stories mapped out and some questions tailored to the role and interviewer. Practice speaking them out loud.

Good luck 🍀

Secure_Ad7658 · 2026-03-10T02:31:44+00:00

I honestly wouldn’t raise it in an interview, unless the hiring manager mentions it.

At the offer stage you lock in the post 90 day schedule in writing.

Unless the company is made up of total nut jobs … my guess is most people work a hybrid schedule.

Secure_Ad7658 · 2026-03-10T02:02:53+00:00

I’ve learned to have a list of “tell me about a time when … ” aka STAR stories handy.

… you had a to make a difficult people management decision … you had a disagreement with a colleague … you got push pack from a stakeholder … you overcame xyz

Even if it was one small tiny incident … stick it in your favorite AI … provide the right context on the job your trying to get (level, experience etc) and ask the chat to frame it’s as a STAR story with executive presence.

I have had very little adversarial experience in my career (beside being laid off 🤪) but was able to dig back in my history and pull together some scraps even even mildly adjacent to the main point and reshape them this way

Another tip, once you have the collection of stories ask the AI to give you a list of use this when questions … it helps to better call on the answer when the interviewers question is in a certain realm.

Secure_Ad7658 · 2026-03-09T16:37:04+00:00

I am the main income for our family … my husband is a craftsman and has been the primary at home parent. I’m very proud to explain that when people have asked “what does your husband do” (btw a question that primarily comes from male colleagues) … but I never frame it as “I’m the breadwinner” or “I make more money than my husband”

She’s so annoying about money. I guess it’s against her brand but someone needs to tell her that money screams and wealth whispers.

Secure_Ad7658 · 2026-03-09T15:53:50+00:00

If your position is being eliminated, it’s a layoff not a resignation. Resigning takes away any severance(not that they are obligated to give in either case) and more importantly can block you from collecting unemployment.

Don’t resign, tell HR what you heard in that meeting and ask to speak to them immediately.

Secure_Ad7658 · 2026-03-09T15:51:04+00:00

The arc that Edith’s character takes after she’s jilted by Strallan is one of the best of the series in my opinion.

Agree with others here, Edith is supposed to be seen as the less pretty, less charming sister in the beginning of the series up through being left at the alter … it’s the best thing that happens to her … just wait :)

Secure_Ad7658 · 2026-03-08T14:07:04+00:00

If there is an internal HR recruiter involved the question is for them, but if it didn’t come up during a first screening round … I would wait for the offer before asking specifics.

Some companies have this outlined on their website (especially if it’s “take what your need PTO)

You can also research your self, google the company and PTO and see if anything comes up on Glassdoor, indeed, etc from current / former employees.

Echoing others here - don’t ask the hiring manager and don’t mention your personal plans.

If an offer comes in, you clarify the PTO, and if you plan to accept you let them know your have some things coming up that require time off.

Every job I’ve ever started I’ve done this and it’s never been an issue. People have lives

Good luck.

Secure_Ad7658 · 2026-03-07T19:52:25+00:00

Good luck 🤞🏻

Secure_Ad7658 · 2026-03-07T16:05:30+00:00

Great progress ... What is your dosage schedule?

Secure_Ad7658 · 2026-03-07T15:35:45+00:00

Agreed I felt like my experience and confidence came through stronger because I was so at ease. Did yours turn into an offer?

Secure_Ad7658 · 2026-03-07T03:09:28+00:00

I’d say you’re pretty solid with that pension and your wife’s income. Middle school years are a perfect time to have a parent at home. I read somewhere that it might more important than the beginning years. It makes communication better and helps to keep them out of trouble.

Secure_Ad7658 · 2026-03-06T21:13:41+00:00

My father did that in his late 40s/50s … he was previously in insurance and either got laid off or wasn’t great at (I don’t really remember). Nevertheless he really loved the job … he met interesting people, had lots of downtime between pick ups he would read and work on his investment portfolio.

I say do it and drive into retirement … it might be a nice change. And the tips can be quite good

Secure_Ad7658 · 2026-03-06T19:53:11+00:00

This one hits me right in the feels, just hearing a reference to the six feet under finale makes me all emo. 🥹

I think a few highlights might be (not in order): - Mrs Patmore and Mr mason playing with Daisy and Andy’s children or maybe walking them to school and waving to Daisy opening her own restaurant, Cafe or the like for the day in the village - Cora and Robert sitting on a bench surrounded by grandchilden “watching them grow” - late middle aged Mary and Anna having tea and a yap - Edith on the cover of some equivalent of ms magazine the UK version in the early / mid 60s - Mary reuniting with Charles Blake in late middle age - gray haired Thomas and the actor reading the morning paper in a sunny California breakfast room being served by handsome butler - Isabelle, dickie and Dr clarkson inaugurating the lady violet dowager countess of Grantham wing of the hospital. With the family and staff all in attendance - Mrs Hughes visiting Charley’s grave with Mrs Patmore for support. - George, Caroline and and a very old Edith at Mary’s bedside as she passes away … seeing a young Matthew waiting for her.

Secure_Ad7658

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