Been in tech for 5 years (not that long lol), but this is the most insane I’ve ever seen the job market.
Layoffs left and right.
Thousands of people are applying for the same roles.
A hiring manager at Figma told me one of their postings got 1,000 applications on day one.
It sucks — but it also means that mindless applying doesn’t cut it anymore.
My rule of thumb?
Spend 1–2 hours per job application.
Here's what that actually looks like:
• Apply early: Try to be in the first 100 applicants. It really boosts your chances.
• Don’t just apply — get in touch:
Message someone on the team. Even a quick DM to a recruiter or adjacent teammate can open doors.
• Pick 10–20 companies and start networking now**:**
Not when the job posts. Look for people in non-obvious roles — PMs, marketers, designers. They’re more likely to reply and refer.
• Don’t wait for job posts — show up first:
AI startups, especially, are chaotic and hiring reactively. Got an idea for their product? A copy fix? A use case they missed? Share it. Yes, it's work — but it sets you apart.
• Burnt out? Step away — briefly:
Try a focused 3–5 day reset. It’ll help more than disappearing for months.
• Sprint hard, then reassess:
It’s better to go all in for 4 focused weeks than half-in for 4 aimless months. The momentum compounds — one referral leads to another, one convo turns into an interview.
This is what I’ve seen work for me and for others.I also built something on the side to make this easier. Not dropping a link here (don’t want to break the rules), but if anything here hits home and you’re curious, contact me — would love to share it or get your thoughts.
