Job Seeker in Latvia Sends 230 CVs as Online Debate Highlights Lack of Employer Replies
A job seeker on the social network Threads says one search required 230 applications. The discussion shows that missing feedback from employers is a common complaint, while registered unemployment in August stood at 4.6%.
Job seekers in Latvia are sharing their experiences on the social network Threads about how many applications it takes to land a job. One participant writes that he is nearing his first hundred CVs sent, and that during an earlier search he had to send as many as 230. The story highlights a problem many face: plenty of applications, but few replies and offers.
Unemployment figures versus reality
The latest data from the State Employment Agency (NVA) show that registered unemployment in Latvia was 4.6% in August. The figure reflects the share of registered unemployed among the economically active population, but it does not say how easy it is to find a job with the desired pay and conditions.
Interviews without results
The job seeker says that out of 100 CVs he received 10 interviews and a few phone calls that never led to a meeting. He is also surprised by how communication with employers sometimes goes: he is told the vacancy no longer exists, but is offered a different position. He understands employers' need to find staff, yet would like meaningful feedback on his cover letter.
Some commenters voiced suspicion about ads stressing that an employee is needed urgently. They suggest the aim may be to find someone to take on accumulated work, though they add that such concerns are not always justified.
Advice and practical difficulties
Another participant suggests the job seeker's profession may lack sufficient demand, so he widened his search to factories, retail and construction, but has so far only reached a first interview round. Others advise not limiting oneself to one narrow field and learning additional skills. Keeping track of applications is also a practical issue: one commenter mentions having sent a CV twice.
The discussion concludes that a large number of applications does not guarantee as many meetings with employers, and an interview does not mean an offer. A reply to an application or a short explanation of a rejection could help candidates understand what to improve.
