100+ Applications and Still No Interviews?

You're not the problem. The online application black hole is. Let's bypass it with a packet that lands on a hiring manager's real desk.

You've Done Everything, Yet Nothing Works

You've sent out over 100 applications. Maybe even 200. Hours spent tweaking resumes, writing cover letters, and clicking "submit" on LinkedIn Easy Apply or Indeed. Still, silence. No callbacks. No emails. Just a void.

We get it, this feels personal. It's exhausting and frustrating to pour in effort with zero results. You're not alone, and it's not your fault. The system is built to ignore senior talent like you.

The Real Problem Isn't Your Resume

Forget the generic advice. The issue runs deeper than formatting or keywords.

Myth: Your resume format is wrong
Reality: Automated filters and volume are the real blockers, not formatting.
Myth: You need more keywords
Reality: Senior roles need context and nuance, not keyword stuffing.
Myth: You should apply to more jobs
Reality: More volume into a broken system just means more silence.
Myth: Online applications work if you try hard enough
Reality: The system filters 75%+ of candidates before a human sees them.

Online Applications Are Broken for Senior Talent

The online system is not made for someone with 15+ years of experience. Job boards like Indeed push volume over quality, drowning hiring managers in irrelevant candidates.

Screening software scans for buzzwords, not depth or leadership. LinkedIn Easy Apply feels satisfying with one click, but it's a dopamine hit that leads nowhere.

Hiring managers at your level want targeted, thoughtful approaches. They're not digging through a digital pile of 500 applications to find you. The system is rigged to waste your time.

Diagnostic Checklist: What's Actually Going Wrong

Check which of these apply to you. If you marked even one, the online system is working against you.

Relying on LinkedIn Easy Apply for quick submissions
One-click applications lack personalization and get buried.
Using job boards like Indeed or ZipRecruiter
Volume-based platforms bury quality candidates in noise.
Trusting AI bulk apply tools like LazyApply or Sonara
Automation adds to the noise, not your chances.
Submitting to automated systems that filter by keywords
Screening software ignores senior experience and nuance.
Following "apply to 100+ jobs daily" advice
This strategy ignores that senior hiring is relationship-based.
Sending applications that never reach a human
Digital submissions get filtered before anyone sees your name.

Physical Mail Cuts Through the Noise

Your resume packet lands on a hiring manager's real desk. Not lost in an inbox or filtered by software, but physically in their hands.

Ballista prints and mails your tailored materials directly to your target companies. This is not a gimmick. It's a deliberate move to bypass the online black hole.

A tangible packet shows intent and stands out when digital applications blend into static. Senior roles often come from relationships and bold moves, not endless online submissions.

How to Break the Cycle

1

Identify 5-10 dream companies

Focus on roles that match your senior experience.

2

Craft a tailored resume packet

Personalized cover letter + resume for each hiring manager.

3

Mail directly to their desk

Bypass filters and digital clutter entirely.

4

Stand out as a serious candidate

Show you take bold, thoughtful steps.

Take Control of Your Job Search

Stop feeding the online black hole. Start landing your resume on real desks. Ballista helps you target the right hiring managers with physical packets that demand attention.