If you’ve been applying for job after job and getting nothing but radio silence in return, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most frustrating parts of job hunting—putting in the time to tailor your resume, upload it through endless online portals, and maybe even write a cover letter… only to hear absolutely nothing back.

Here are 6 reasons you might not be getting job application responses—and what you can do to change this.

Why You’re Not Hearing Back (& How to Fix)

1. Your Resume Isn’t ATS-Friendly or Keyword Optimised

Many employers now use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to manage the flood of resumes they receive. These systems scan your application for specific keywords and phrases drawn from the job ad or selection criteria. If your resume doesn’t include those relevant terms, it may be filtered out before a real person ever sees it.

Quick fix: Mirror the language used in the job ad and keep formatting simple. Submit your resume in the format requested—usually Word or PDF.

2. You Haven’t Addressed the Selection Criteria (Especially for Government Jobs)

If you’re applying for a government job in Australia, there’s a good chance you’re expected to respond to the selection criteria. Skipping this step often results in instant disqualification.

Quick fix: Prepare detailed, evidence-based responses using the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—and follow the structure requested in the job ad.

3. You Didn’t Follow the Instructions

Many employers include specific directions in the job ad to test whether applicants can pay attention to detail. These might include:

• Submitting your application in a specific format, such as Word or PDF
• Addressing your cover letter to a specific person mentioned in the ad
• Including a reference number or job code
• Respecting a page limit or word count
• Sending your application to a particular email address rather than through a form

Failing to follow these instructions—even small ones—can result in your application being overlooked. To an employer, it signals that you may not be detail-oriented or able to follow procedures—qualities that are essential in most jobs.

Quick fix: Before hitting send, re-read the job ad and make a checklist of every instruction mentioned. Double-check your documents, format, and submission method to ensure you’ve followed everything to the letter.

4. You’re Missing the Required Qualifications or Experience

Even with a strong application, if you’re lacking key qualifications listed as “essential,” your application might not make the shortlist.

Quick fix: Apply for roles where you’re a close match, and consider working toward qualifications or skills that frequently come up in your target roles.

5. Your Application Isn’t Easy to Read or Follow

A cluttered or overly complex resume can put recruiters off, especially if they’re skimming quickly.

Quick fix: Use a clean resume template with clear headings, bullet points, and a consistent structure. Put your strongest experience near the top.

6. There’s Just a Lot of Competition

Even the most perfectly tailored applications can be passed over due to timing, internal hires, or high volumes of candidates.

What Else You Can Do

Some companies only contact shortlisted candidates. Others don’t notify unsuccessful applicants at all. It’s frustrating—but common. If you’re consistently applying and not hearing back, don’t give up—but do shift your strategy. Here’s how:

Review Your Recent Applications

Go back over a few roles you’ve applied for and honestly assess:

• Did I tailor my resume and cover letter to match the role?
• Did I include the right keywords?
• Did I follow every instruction in the job ad?
• Did I address the selection criteria (if required)?

Get a Second Set of Eyes

Sometimes it helps to have a career coach, mentor, or professional resume writer review your documents. They may spot red flags or missed opportunities that you didn’t notice.

Follow Up (Where Appropriate)

If the job ad includes contact details, and it’s been a reasonable time since you applied, you can politely follow up. Ask if there’s any update on the recruitment process and express continued interest in the role.

Improve What You Can Control

Use the time between applications to:

• Refine your resume and cover letter
• Practice responding to selection criteria
• Build skills through short courses or volunteering
• Network within your industry, online and in person

Stay Resilient

Silence doesn’t always mean failure. It often means the hiring process is slow, delayed, or simply didn’t include feedback. Keep refining, keep applying, and don’t take the lack of response as a reflection of your worth.

If you’re asking yourself, “Why am I not getting responses from job applications?”, you’re not alone—but you can take steps to improve your outcomes.

Need Help With Selection Criteria or Resume Writing?

We specialise in government applications, keyword-optimised resumes, and professional writing support that gets you noticed. Contact us to take the guesswork out of your job hunt: