I CAN'T GET A JOB
<div class="user-question">Hi Frich. I'm really struggling with job search right now. I need help with getting through the application system. I feel if can just get my foot in the door I can do it. But getting through to the interview stages is very difficult right now. What should I do?</div>
You're absolutely not alone in feeling this way. The current job market is tough, and it can feel like your applications disappear into a void. When you're dealing with financial stress and uncertainty, the pressure to land something - anything - can be overwhelming.
I'm David Fano, CEO and co-founder of Teal. We're a career growth platform that helps job seekers build better resumes, find the right job opportunities, and land interviews faster. We have tools for everything from resume building to job tracking to interview prep - but more importantly, we've helped thousands of people break through the application black hole you're experiencing.
Here's what we've learned: the solution isn't applying to more jobs. It's about working smarter with a system that actually gets your resume in front of real people. So let me walk you through the process!
Build your master resume
Most people rewrite their resume from scratch for every application. This is exhausting and inefficient, especially when you're applying to multiple jobs while managing financial stress.
<div class="frich-tip">Frich tip: create one comprehensive "master resume" with everything you've ever done, then customize from there.</div>
1️⃣ Start with a brain dump
Write down every job, project, accomplishment, and responsibility you've had. Don't worry about length or perfect formatting yet - just get it all documented.
2️⃣ Fill in the gaps with these strategies
- Look at job descriptions for similar roles to spark ideas about responsibilities you might have forgotten
- Browse other people's resumes in your field to see how they describe similar work
- Use AI tools to generate ideas: "What are typical responsibilities for a marketing coordinator?"
3️⃣ Turn tasks into accomplishments Instead of "Managed social media accounts," write "Grew Instagram followers by 300% over 6 months, leading to 50+ new customer inquiries." Show the impact, not just what you did.
<div class="frich-tip">Frich tip: learn how to do this with Teal! Here's a free walkthrough on how to build your master resume.</div
This master resume becomes your source document. You'll never start from scratch again - just pick and choose the most relevant pieces for each application.
Customize for each job
Here's the key insight: hiring managers don't want to see everything you've ever done. They want to see that you can do this specific job.
Your resume should show the 10% of your experience that's 100% relevant to the role you're applying for.
1️⃣ The customization process
- Read the job description carefully and identify what they actually care about most
- Lead with your most relevant accomplishments - put the best matches first
- Use their exact language when possible (if they say "project management," don't say "project coordination")
- Only include skills that matter for this specific role
- Remove anything that doesn't serve this application
This targeted approach is why 5-10 well-customized applications will get you better results than 50 generic ones. You'll spend less time applying overall and get more responses.
2️⃣ Time-saving tip
Create 2-3 different versions of your master resume for different types of roles (client-facing vs. behind-the-scenes, for example). This makes customization even faster.
<div class="frich-tip">Frich tip: learn how to do this with Teal! Here's a free walkthrough on how to create powerful resume bullets with AI that actually get hiring managers' attention.</div>
Design for humans, not perfection
Your resume gets about 7 seconds of attention before someone decides to keep reading or move on. Those seconds need to count.
The goal isn't to make it beautiful - it's to make it scannable so busy hiring managers can quickly understand your value.
1️⃣ Design principles that work:
- Give your content room to breathe with proper margins and spacing between sections
- Stick to 1-2 colors maximum and make sure it looks good in black and white
- Use readable fonts in appropriate sizes (10-11pt for body text, 14-16pt for headers)
- Make it clear what's most important with bold job titles and company names
- Keep design elements simple - basic bullets and clean lines work better than graphics
2️⃣ Structure for quick scanning:
- Top third (the "hook"): Your contact info, target job title, and a brief summary of your value
- Middle section (the "proof"): Your work experience with the strongest, most relevant accomplishments first
- Bottom section (the "details"): Education, relevant skills, and certifications that matter for this job
The most common mistake? Making it look good to you instead of making it work for the hiring manager who needs to quickly understand what you bring to the table.
<div class="frich-tip">Frich tip: use Teal's complete design guide that gets callbacks.</div>
Stay organized and follow up strategically
Job searching while unemployed can feel chaotic, especially when you're worried about finances. Organization and strategic follow-up can be the difference between getting lost in the pile and building relationships that lead to opportunities.
1️⃣ Track everything systematically:
- Every application you submit, including which version of your resume you sent
- People you've connected with at target companies
- Follow-up reminders and conversation notes
- Application status updates and any feedback you receive
2️⃣ The follow-up approach that works: Modern networking isn't about collecting LinkedIn connections. It's about providing value first and building genuine relationships.
- Week 1: Submit your customized application
- Week 2: Connect with relevant people at the company (not just the hiring manager)
- Week 3: Follow up via email, adding value like sharing a relevant article
- Month 1: Check if the role is still open and reiterate your genuine interest
<div class="frich-tip">Frich tip: use Teal's complete guide to following up effectively.</div>
Your complete system
Here's how it all works together:
- Build once - create your comprehensive master resume with all your accomplishments
- Customize strategically - show each company exactly what they're looking for
- Design for impact - make sure your resume passes the 7-second test
- Stay organized - track everything and follow up with value
Instead of sending dozens of generic applications and hoping for the best, you're sending fewer, targeted applications that hiring managers actually notice and respond to.
This approach takes the chaos out of job searching and gives you a clear system to follow, even when you're feeling overwhelmed by financial pressure.
Additional resources
- Understanding what happens after you apply: How ATS systems actually work and what really happens to your resume.
- Quick AI tips: Using AI for better resume bullets - practical techniques you can use immediately.
- Strategic improvements: 3 resume fixes that work better than perfect bullets - my take on what really matters.
Found this valuable? Here are some more deep dives from the Frich team 🤝
✅ What am I supposed to do with my salary?
✅ What insurance do I actually need?
Job searching without income is stressful, and the pressure to find something quickly can push you toward desperate moves that don't serve you well long-term. This system helps you stay strategic even when things feel urgent.
You mentioned that you know you can do the job once you get that interview. That confidence is your biggest asset. Now you have a system that will help you get there.
The right opportunity is out there. With this approach, you're positioned to find it.
David Fano, co-founder & CEO of Teal
