When applications go unanswered, it can be hard to tell what to change. Sending out more resumes may feel productive, but it won’t necessarily show why the search has stalled.

Start by looking at which jobs you’re applying for and how clearly your materials show that you can do the work. The responses you get can help you decide what to change next.

Focus on Roles That Fit

Sending out large numbers of resumes takes time, especially when the positions are only loosely connected to your strongest experience. Give priority to openings that match work you’ve already done. According to Barbara Efird, a career coach at NC State, each resume should highlight the experience and accomplishments that match the job’s requirements.

Read the Job Description

A job description can tell you what the new hire will be expected to do and which qualifications matter most. Look for the main responsibilities and distinguish required qualifications from those the employer lists as preferred.

If the posting is unclear and names a hiring contact, ask a specific question before you apply. For example, you might ask which responsibility will take up most of the new hire’s time. The answer can help you decide whether to apply and which experience to highlight.

Use Relevant Keywords

Some employers use software to scan resumes and cover letters for keywords. Use the terms in the job description when they accurately describe your experience. Rather than repeating a phrase throughout the application, put it where it helps explain what you did.

Write a Focused Cover Letter

A structured cover letter can make a busy hiring manager’s work easier. Choose a requirement from the posting and give a specific example of how you’ve handled similar work. Use the letter to explain why that experience matters for this role rather than repeating the same details from your resume.

Lead With Relevant Experience

If you include a resume summary, use those opening lines to show why your background fits the role. Name the kind of work you’ve done and the experience most relevant to the opening. Leave out broad claims that could describe anyone, and let the rest of the resume supply the detail.

Show Results

Use accomplishment statements to show what changed because of your work. A promotion, a process improvement, a revenue gain, or a cost saving can tell a hiring manager more than a list of duties. If you trained colleagues or helped improve a process, describe what the team could do afterward.

Update Your Professional Profile

If your resume is tailored to a specific kind of role but your online profile remains generic, review the profile headline and summary. Make the type of work you’re pursuing clear and bring relevant experience forward. The profile doesn’t have to match every application, but it should support the same overall direction.

Reach Out to Your Network

A warm introduction, a referral, or a conversation with someone who knows the field can point you toward openings you might miss. Let former colleagues and other professional contacts know what kind of role you’re looking for. Ask about a team or type of work that interests you rather than starting with a broad request for favors.

Track Application Patterns

Note which roles generate responses, which version of your resume you sent, and how far each application went. If you’re getting interviews but not advancing, review how you explain your experience in interviews. If you’re rarely getting a reply, look first at the roles you’re targeting and the materials you’re sending.

Set Aside Time for the Search

Give applications, follow-ups, and interview preparation their own time frames. That way, a new posting doesn’t have to interrupt work on an application you’ve already started. Leave time between tasks so you can reread your materials before sending them.

Pick one change to try with your next group of applications and set a date to review it. Changing everything at once makes it harder to tell what helped.