Why Is It Hard to Land a Tech Job Now?
The job market is tough. Unemployment is rising, and companies are hiring fewer people due to the economy. With more candidates and fewer jobs, it’s harder to get noticed. You need to explore new opportunities quickly and research multiple positions, even at smaller companies. This takes time and effort, making the job search even more challenging.
With more experienced workers job hunting after layoffs and career changers entering the field, standing out is crucial. LinkedIn reports that 85% of hiring managers focus on specific skills. That means you’re not just competing with other job seekers—you need to show why you’re the best fit out of thousands of applicants.
As a career changer, recently laid-off employee, or new graduate, you often have a similar background to others entering the tech field, making it harder to stand out. You may have relevant coursework, an internship, or transferable skills, but so do many others. The real challenge is proving why you are the best fit when many candidates have similar qualifications.
The idea that there are plenty of jobs for those with generic experience is mostly a myth. Even "entry-level" jobs often ask for prior experience—whether through internships, projects, or specialized skills. Employers want candidates who can contribute immediately, and it’s up to you to demonstrate your value.
Get Your Customized Free Report Now
Find out exactly what makes candidates stand out and land jobs—even in a tough market. Your customized report will show you:
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The biggest mistakes you’re making and how to fix them.
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How to position yourself as the best fit, even with limited experience.
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A tailored strategy to make your resume stand out from the crowd.
"Spray and Pray" is not working
As a tech job application expert, I've seen many job seekers submit their resumes to hundreds—sometimes even over 1,000—positions without landing a single offer.
Submitting the same generic resume to multiple positions might feel efficient, but in today’s job market, it’s ineffective. Employers are looking for specialized candidates who align with their specific needs. A one-size-fits-all approach won’t make your application stand out, and hiring managers can quickly tell when a resume isn’t tailored to their role.
In a competitive market, failing to customize your resume for each job can significantly hurt your chances. Companies prioritize applicants who demonstrate a clear fit for their open roles, not those taking a broad, unfocused approach.
Who Am I and Why I Founded Application Owl
I’m Itay Sharfi, a tech application expert, author of The Job of Landing a Job: The Insider’s Guide to Winning Tech’s Hiring Game, and founder of Application Owl.
I have been working at Google and have previously held top engineering roles at Nokia, Moody's, and Hewlett-Packard for over 20 years in total. I also teach computer science as a professor at California State University, Fullerton. My extensive background has given me deep insights into the tech hiring process and what it takes to get hired.
I know firsthand how challenging the job market can be. In 2008, I came to the U.S. on a student visa to attend MIT, full of dreams and ambitions. But when the economy crashed in 2009 and 2010, job opportunities became scarce. Searching for internships and full-time roles during a recession felt like the odds were stacked against me. What made the difference? I didn’t scatter my efforts—I focused. I homed in on the mobile industry, which was just starting to boom. I got involved with Mobile Monday Non-Profit, led the MIT Mobile Club, and competed in the MIT 100K Mobile Track. By tailoring my resume and story to fit the mobile space, I stood out in a crowded job market, and the connections I made led to my first internship and full-time job.
The job market is tough again today, but with focus and a clear strategy, you can navigate it successfully. I’ve helped thousands of job applicants, including students, MIT alumni, Xooglers, and U.S. veterans, with their job applications. I have also interviewed over 1,000 candidates for various companies. My hands-on experience helps me identify the key elements employers look for, allowing me to guide applicants effectively. Check out my blog or YouTube channel.
I founded Application Owl to help tech job applicants improve their resumes and applications. There is a gap in the market for tools that help job seekers stand out. Application Owl fills that gap by helping you craft a compelling resume and personal brand to stand out as a top candidate. I know it works—because I’ve been there.
How to Win in This Market?
In today’s job market, the real challenge isn’t just passing interviews—it’s getting the interview in the first place. You could spend months perfecting LeetCode or doing countless mock interviews, but if you don’t land the interview, all that preparation won’t matter.
A good resume is your ticket to that crucial first call with a recruiter. It’s more than just a document; it’s your proposal to the company, showing them you can deliver on the job. A strong resume has three key components:
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It’s well-written, free of errors, and tells a clear story.
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It’s personalized to the job and company.
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It’s continuously refined and updated with new experiences.
This is what convinces a recruiter to reach out.
Knowing which jobs you have the best shot at is crucial. Not all positions are equal, and applying to roles that match your strengths and experience boosts your chances of landing an interview. Sometimes that means being adaptable—taking a course, tweaking your resume, or highlighting specific skills to match a job posting. The more targeted your approach, the more likely you are to stand out in a competitive market.
Personalization wins.
So, what do I get for FREE?
After years of helping job applicants, I’ve developed an evaluation system that assesses hundreds of key qualities in a resume. When you submit your resume, I’ll provide you with a free assessment based on factors like clarity, structure, and alignment with job requirements.
And if you’re unsure which position to apply for, I’ll even suggest the one that best fits your resume—all for free.
Below is a small snippet of a personalized resume evaluation from Application Owl.
Summary
The candidate has a solid background in business analysis and IT project management, with hands-on experience in digital transformation (e.g., leading a CRM migration that improved efficiency by 20%) and IT infrastructure projects (e.g., enhancing network performance by 30%). They are prepared for agile project management roles, like Software Engineer II.
However, the resume focuses more on IT management than programming. Adding examples of technical skills (e.g., proficiency in .NET or ROR) will improve alignment with the role.
Best Highlights
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Relevant skills and certifications: Demonstrates key skills like Agile Project Management, Salesforce Admin Certification, and certifications like CSPO.
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Clear achievements: Includes specific impacts like increasing IT infrastructure efficiency by 30% and completing digital transformation projects that led to a 22% revenue increase.
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Solid education: Holds a Master’s Degree in Information Systems and relevant certifications that align with the technical aspects of the job.
Fixes Needed
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Add programming skills: Emphasize software development experience with clear examples, such as integrating Salesforce with decision-making platforms or improving ROR software performance by X%.
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Show passion for coding: Include details about coding projects or contributions to open-source platforms that reflect your enthusiasm for software engineering.
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Refine career goals: Focus career goals on software development leadership by explicitly stating aspirations, such as leading digital transformation teams or becoming a technical lead in software development.
Will This FREE Service Work for You?
Struggling to Land Interviews?
If your job applications aren’t getting you interviews, your resume needs improvement. I’ll help you fix that. If you're already securing interviews, you're on the right track—this service helps you refine your approach to improve your chances.
Targeting a Tech Role?
This service is built for tech professionals—whether you’re aiming to be a business analyst, program manager, or software developer. If you're pursuing a career outside of tech, like nursing, this isn’t the right fit. My expertise is in tech hiring, and that’s where I deliver results.
New Grad, Career Transition, or Already in Tech?
No matter where you are in your career—breaking into tech, transitioning, or already in the industry—this service is for you. My feedback delivers actionable, short-term improvements that get results in months, not years. While a master’s in Computer Science can be a great long-term investment, small targeted changes—like adding a project, earning a certification, or refining your resume—can have an immediate impact.
Ready to Get Started?
Upload your resume, and I’ll do the rest. If you have a target role in mind, perfect. If not, I’ll identify the best-fit tech position for you.
Testimonials
"This service provided clear, targeted suggestions that really helped me improve my resume for the specific job I’m applying for. Super valuable!"
Mid-Level Professional
"The feedback was spot-on! It highlighted what was already working well and gave me actionable advice to strengthen the weaker areas."
Recent Grad
"This was incredibly helpful. It gave me a clear direction on how to tailor my resume for product management roles and how to leverage my existing experience in cybersecurity."
Cal State MS grad
"The detailed scoring helped me see exactly where I needed to focus my efforts. The guidance was practical and easy to follow."
Career Changer
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Don't let a poorly targeted resume hold you back.
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I personally review each submission for quality, so please allow up to 5 business days for a response. You’ll receive your report via email from info@applicationowl.com.