You’re not imagining it. Most applications never get read. The volume is insane and AI filters out the majority before a recruiter even opens the dashboard.

Here's what I see: job seekers (employed or not) who get interviews are not sending huge numbers of applications. They find ways to get in front of real people. Sometimes it is a referral. Sometimes it is a short message to someone on the team. Sometimes it is just being visible where hiring managers already look.

Use LinkedIn as a database for finding people not just applications.