Feeling Stuck in the Job Hunt? You're Not Alone.
What to do next and how to push through
Welcome to issue #071 of The Data Point. Each week I send an article helping you develop your career in data. If you want help in your data career journey, join our network of data professionals. You’ll get access to monthly Q&A sessions, recorded deep dives, monthly coffee chats, and monthly personalized Loom video reviews.
Hey all, it’s been a minute since I posted.
Busy time in life with 2 young littles and I’ve been trying to learn to manage my time better. Had to scale back what I was doing for a bit to help get sorted.
Still an ongoing journey but I’m feeling the Substack itch again.
Ok enough banter…
If you’ve been applying to tons of jobs and hearing nothing back, this is for you.
Here are a few things to consider:
This is totally normal (seriously)
Check-in on your LinkedIn and resume regularly
Keep building your portfolio
Consider bringing in some help
Let’s break it down.
1. This is normal. Like, really normal.
I’ve been helping people land jobs in data for years now and I see people hit the same walls all the time. 2025 is no different.
Almost everyone hits a wall at some point during the job hunt. You send out dozens, maybe even hundreds of applications and hear nothing. MAYBE you get a few interviews but they go nowhere. It’s frustrating. It’s discouraging. But it doesn’t mean something is wrong with you.
This is just how the job market works right now. And it’s been that way for a while (at least since 2022). Even if you’re doing everything right, there might still be a stretch where things feel stuck. That doesn’t mean you’re on the wrong path. It just means it’s going to take some time.
So the best thing you can do? Keep going. Most of the people I know who ended up landing great roles were the ones who just didn’t quit. They either stayed consistent or doubled down when things got tough.
2. Tweak your resume and LinkedIn every 25 to 50 applications
Don’t just set it and forget it. Every few dozen applications, take a fresh look at your resume and LinkedIn. Are there things you could clarify or reword? Is the format clean and easy to scan? Are you speaking to the kinds of roles you're applying for?
Small tweaks can make a big difference, especially if you're not getting any traction. Think of this as a routine check-in, not a full rebuild. You’re just doing a quick audit to see what might help you stand out more.
3. Keep building your portfolio
One mistake I see often is people put together a couple of basic projects, slap them in a portfolio, and then never touch it again. The people I see who have the most success keep adding new work. It helps you stay sharp, grow your skills, and show potential employers what you’re capable of.
The main goal is to genuinely get better at these skills with lots of hands-on work.
Bonus: it also gives you stuff to talk about if you're sharing your journey on LinkedIn or in interviews. Even small projects can go a long way here.
4. Bring in some help
If you've been grinding and still feel stuck, it might be time to bring in an expert. Whether it’s a resume writer, a career coach, or someone who can help you pinpoint gaps in your strategy, having a fresh set of eyes can help you move forward faster.
I’ve seen people completely turn things around just by getting targeted, personalized feedback. And yes, it can be worth the investment if it gets you hired sooner.
PS - I have my own coaching program to help people get hired in data. Check it out here.
If the job hunt has been rough lately, just know you're not alone. This happens to almost everyone at some point. What matters most is that you don’t give up. Keep applying, keep building, and keep refining.
You’re probably closer than you think.