What 193 Applications and 4 Months Taught Me About Finding Work in 2025
If you're in the job search trenches right now, hear this: You're not broken. The system is challenging, but you are capable.
After my third layoff, I did what millions of Americans do each year—I started applying for jobs. What followed was a journey through 192 applications, 100+ companies that never responded (72% ghost rate), 46 rejections (24%), countless hours of prep work, and ultimately, by God's grace, two offers that changed everything.
This isn't just my story—it's the reality of modern job searching. Here's what I learned, what it cost, and how you can navigate this challenging landscape more effectively.
The Financial Reality: Job Searching Isn't Free Anymore
Finding a job has become an investment that many don't anticipate:
- LinkedIn Premium: $30/month for InMail credits and "Featured Applicant" status
- Educational services & skill development: $90/month
- ApplyAll (automated application platform): $299 for 100 applications
- Proficiently (job matching service): $49/month
- Simplify+ (application tracking & automation)
Monthly cost: $100-$200+
For someone between paychecks, this adds up fast. My advice? Start with LinkedIn Premium and Simplify+. These two gave me the best ROI. The others can wait until you've exhausted free resources.
The Time Investment: It's a Full-Time Job to Find a Full-Time Job
Here's where my 40+ hours per week went:
Browsing & Networking (15 hours/week) Across Indeed, LinkedIn, Welcome to the Jungle, Dice, Workforgood, and ZipRecruiter—each platform has its own interface, its own quirks, and overlapping job listings that require constant cross-referencing.
Applying for Jobs (10.5 hours/week for ~30 applications)
- Easy applies: 3 minutes each (when you're lucky)
- Standard applications: 30 minutes each (re-entering your entire resume into poorly designed forms)
Phone Screens (2 hours per screening)
- 1 hour prep: researching the company, rehearsing answers
- 1 hour actual conversation
- 30 minutes post-call wrap-up and notes
Inventory Management (3-5 hours/week) Reconciling applications across platforms, tracking emails, organizing positive and negative responses—this became its own project.
Learning & Skill Development (2-4 hours/week) Staying sharp, filling knowledge gaps, preparing for technical interviews.
The breakthrough? Finding the right tools (especially Simplify+) cut my application administrative time by 95%.
The Emotional Toll: The Hardest Part No One Talks About
This is where job searching gets real.
Good Community is Awesome. From family, to former coworkers, vendors I'd worked with, even acquaintances reached out with encouragement, referrals, and genuine support. I've never felt more cared for—or more vulnerable—than during this period.
Both my offers came through referrals, not through the 150+ applications I submitted into the void. That's the uncomfortable truth: relationships matter more than resumes.
AI is a double-edged sword. I could generate tailored resumes and cover letters in minutes—amazing. But so could everyone else. Employers are drowning in AI-generated applications, making it harder than ever to stand out. The noise level has never been higher.
What kept me going:
✅ Christ — Truly! Many days were hard and annoying but giving up was never an option. I thank Him for walking alongside me. Psalm 62:5
✅ Maintaining a routine — Treating job searching like a job itself gave structure to uncertain days
✅ Finding my tribe — Connecting with others on the same journey created accountability and shared wisdom
✅ Building something — I worked on side projects and learning initiatives to stay sharp and prove I was growing
✅ Rest and recharge — Burnout is real. Taking breaks wasn't lazy; it was strategic
The Tools That Actually Made a Difference
Simplify Jobs was the MVP—it streamlined discovery, application, and tracking in one platform. ApplyAll helped with volume but felt less personal. LLMs transformed my interview preparation from generic to strategic.
The Opportunity Ahead
This process revealed something important: the job search industry is ripe for innovation.
Job seekers need:
- Better application tracking across platforms
- Smarter automation that doesn't sacrifice personalization
- Tools that help you stand out in an AI-saturated market
- Support systems that address the emotional and financial burdens
Employers need:
- Ways to cut through the noise of AI-generated applications
- Systems that surface genuine talent and cultural fits
- Processes that respect candidates' time and dignity
There's a massive gap between what exists and what's needed. For entrepreneurs, product builders, and innovators—this is your moment.
Final Thoughts: You're Not Alone
If you're in the job search trenches right now, hear this: You're not broken. The system is challenging, but you are capable.
192 applications taught me resilience, humility, and gratitude. The ghost rate stung. The rejections hurt. But the two offers reminded me that it only takes one "yes" to change everything.
Keep going. Lean on your community. Use the right tools. Believe in your value.
You've got this.
Akin Akinboro is a prominent enterprise systems engineering professional, entrepreneur, and author. He is known for his work in cloud engineering and for co-founding The 234 Project Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on empowering young Nigerians. He has held significant technical and leadership roles at major technology companies such as Indeed.com, Oracle, and Dell.
