Looking for a job is hard work. You spend hours scrolling through listings, adjusting your CV, and sending applications. Most of the time, you get no response. On the few occasions you do hear back, it often ends in silence after the first step.

That cycle can be discouraging and make you wonder if you are doing something wrong. The truth is, many smart and capable people fall into the same traps when job hunting. These mistakes don’t reflect your ability to do the work, but they can quietly hurt your chances of getting noticed.

The good news is that once you recognize these mistakes, you can correct them. Fixing how you approach the process can help you spend your time better and improve your odds of getting interviews that actually lead somewhere.

Mistake 1: Applying to too many jobs at once

It feels logical to think that the more applications you send, the higher your chances of success. When the search drags on, it is tempting to send out dozens in a day. But in practice, this approach rarely works. Employers and recruiters can easily spot when a CV or cover letter has been sent out in bulk without any real adjustment. It signals that you are not serious about their role, just desperate for any role.

The bigger issue is that spreading yourself across too many applications means you do not have time to properly research each job or tailor your materials. You end up with generic applications that look the same as everyone else’s. Instead of standing out, you blend into the pile. Worse, when you are applying to jobs that are not even a good fit, you increase the number of rejections, which can hit your motivation hard.

How to fix it: Choose fewer roles and invest more energy into each one. Read the description closely, look for what they emphasize, and highlight the parts of your background that align most closely. Write a short, tailored cover letter instead of reusing the same one. Ten strong, well-matched applications are far more effective than fifty rushed ones.

Mistake 2: Using the same CV for every job

Many people create a “master CV” and use it for everything. It feels efficient, but it weakens your applications. Hiring managers spend seconds scanning a CV before deciding whether to keep reading. If the most relevant skills and experiences are buried halfway down the page, there is a good chance they will not even get that far.

Different jobs value different strengths. A CV that works for a finance role will look completely wrong for an operations position. When you send the same CV everywhere, you risk looking unfocused, even if your background is strong. It tells the employer you did not take the time to show them why you are right for their role specifically.

How to fix it: Adjust your CV for each application. Move the most relevant skills and experiences to the top so they cannot be missed. Use keywords that appear in the job description when they genuinely apply to your background. This makes it easy for the reader to quickly connect your profile to what they need. A tailored CV signals effort and increases your chance of moving forward.

Mistake 3: Ignoring your online presence

Today, almost every recruiter or hiring manager will look you up online before deciding whether to interview you. LinkedIn is usually the first place they check. If your profile is outdated, inconsistent with your CV, or incomplete, it raises questions about your attention to detail and professionalism. Some may even skip you entirely.

A weak online presence does not mean you are unqualified, but it does make you harder to trust. Employers want to feel confident that you take your career seriously. Even something as small as not having a profile picture or a basic summary can send the wrong signal.

How to fix it: Update your LinkedIn profile with your most recent role, key skills, and a clear headline that matches the kind of work you want. Use a professional photo. Add a short summary that explains your background and goals. You do not need to post every day or have thousands of connections, but keeping your profile polished and consistent with your CV builds credibility and makes it easier for employers to see you as a strong candidate.

Mistake 4: Not preparing for interviews properly

Getting invited to an interview means your application worked. But showing up unprepared can undo all of that progress in minutes. Too many candidates walk in without researching the company, thinking about what the role requires, or practicing their answers. When that happens, your responses come across as vague or hesitant.

An interview is not just a conversation, it is a test of how much you care about the role and how well you can communicate. Employers want to see that you understand their business and that you have thought about how you could help them. Without preparation, it is hard to make that case. And when you cannot give clear, specific examples of your skills, the interviewer has little reason to choose you over someone who can.

How to fix it: Start by researching the company. Read their website, recent news, and LinkedIn updates so you know their priorities. Prepare two or three examples from your past work that highlight relevant skills like problem solving, organization, or leadership. Practice answering common interview questions out loud so you can deliver them with confidence. The more specific you are, the stronger impression you make.

Mistake 5: Ignoring the quality of the jobs you apply to

Not every job listing is worth your time. Some roles are written poorly, some are unrealistic about requirements, and some simply do not fit your skills or career stage. Applying to these anyway may feel productive in the moment, but it drains your energy and increases the odds of rejection. Over time, this cycle makes the whole search more discouraging than it needs to be.

The quality of your applications matters far more than the quantity. Sending out dozens of applications for roles that are a poor match does not move you forward. Instead, it keeps you stuck in the same loop of sending CVs and getting no replies. Choosing better targets is often what makes the difference between hearing back and being ignored.

How to fix it: Be selective about where you apply. Look for roles where you meet most of the requirements and where the responsibilities make sense for your background. If a job looks like a stretch, you can still apply, but avoid wasting time on positions you know you would not accept even if offered.

This is where AI job matching platforms like Via can help. Instead of scrolling through endless listings, you get a shortlist of roles that actually fit your profile. That way, your time goes into preparing for the right opportunities rather than chasing every possibility.

Conclusion

Most people do not fail at job hunting because they lack skills. They fail because of preventable mistakes: sending too many generic applications, using the same CV for everything, neglecting their online presence, or going into interviews unprepared. These issues do not reflect your ability to do the job, but they affect how employers see you.

By focusing your applications, tailoring your CV, updating your LinkedIn profile, preparing properly for interviews, and being selective about the roles you pursue, you can make your search less overwhelming and more effective.

And if you want help cutting through the noise, tools like Via can recommend roles that actually fit, so you can spend your time where it counts most.