Author: April Ogden, Founder and CEO, It’s Your Outcome

AI is deciding who gets hired—and if you’re making these five job search mistakes, you may be getting filtered out before a human even sees your résumé.

The job search process has changed. If you’re still applying like you did 10 years ago, you’re invisible.

The good news? Every mistake in this list is fixable—starting today.

Meet Greg—And Why His Job Search Was Failing

Greg had 22 years of experience as a senior project manager. He assumed landing a new job would be easy at this stage in his career.

He was wrong.

After sending out more than 100 applications, all he got was silence. No callbacks. No interviews.

And when a recruiter did respond? They hit him with the dreaded:

“You’re overqualified.”

At first, Greg thought: Maybe I need to take a pay cut. Maybe I’m just too old for the job market now.

But the truth? Greg wasn’t too old. He wasn’t overqualified. He was just making the same five job search mistakes that keep experienced professionals stuck.

If you’re not getting interviews—or worse, you keep hearing “overqualified”—you might be making these mistakes too.

Let’s fix them.

Mistake #1: Mass-Applying to Jobs Instead of Targeting the Right Ones

Why This Is a Mistake

Mass-applying to jobs doesn’t increase your chances—it makes your résumé less likely to be seen by recruiters. AI-powered hiring systems rank résumés based on job description match rates. If you’re sending the same résumé to every job, AI filters you out before a human ever sees your application.

The Data

• 98% of Fortune 500 companies use ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) to filter résumés before they reach a hiring manager. (Geekflare)
• 70% of large companies and 20% of small to mid-sized businesses have adopted ATS solutions. (Select Software Reviews)

How to Fix It

• Apply to fewer jobs—but make them count. Focus on 10-15 highly targeted roles and customize your résumé for each one.
• Run your résumé through an ATS scanner before applying.
• Scan Your Résumé with Jobscan

Mistake #2: Relying on Job Boards Instead of the Hidden Job Market

Why This Is a Mistake

Most job seekers focus only on job boards, but 70% of jobs are never even posted online.

The best jobs are filled through internal promotions, referrals, and networking.

The Data

• Job boards still account for only 20% of job hires worldwide. (Statista)

How to Fix It

• Leverage LinkedIn to connect with hiring managers.
• Start conversations before roles are even posted.
• Follow companies you want to work for and engage with their content.

Greg’s Turning Point

Instead of applying without a strategy, Greg reached out to a former colleague who referred him for a hidden six-figure role that never made it to LinkedIn. Three weeks later, he had an offer.

Book a 1:1 Career Strategy Session

Mistake #3: Having an Unoptimized LinkedIn Profile

Why This Is a Mistake

If your LinkedIn profile isn’t optimized, recruiters won’t find you.

The Data

• 72% of recruiters use LinkedIn to find candidates before reviewing résumés. (The Social Shepherd)
• 52 million people use LinkedIn to search for jobs each week. (TeamMe.io)
• 101 job applications are submitted every second on LinkedIn. (TeamMe.io)

How to Fix It

• Update your headline to showcase your expertise. Example:
  “Senior Project Manager | Agile Leadership | Process Optimization”
• Turn on ‘Open to Work’ (without making it public).
• Post industry insights or comment on posts once a week to boost visibility.

Mistake #4: Not Addressing the “Overqualified” Label

Why This Is a Mistake

Many experienced job seekers hear, “You’re overqualified,” but don’t know how to respond effectively.

What Hiring Managers Are Really Thinking

• Salary expectations – They assume you’ll ask for too much.
• Job longevity – They worry you’ll leave for a better offer.
• Adaptability – They think you’re “stuck in your ways.”

How to Fix It

• Control the narrative. In interviews, say:
  “I bring leadership experience that will help your team avoid costly mistakes and drive results faster.”
• Address concerns before they arise. Example:
  “I’m looking for a long-term role where I can make an impact, not just a title or salary.”
• Showcase adaptability. Mention learning new tech, leading younger teams, or mentoring employees.

Final Thoughts

Right now, recruiters are hiring candidates who know these strategies. Are you ready to be one of them?

• Stop using outdated job search strategies.
• Tap into the hidden job market.
• Fix your résumé and LinkedIn profile so recruiters find you.

Challenge: Drop a Comment Below

Which job search mistake have you been making