In March, I was increasingly unhappy and stressed at work, so I began applying to several jobs each day. Despite my efforts, I wasn’t seeing results. The job market felt crowded and disheartening. I noticed job postings on LinkedIn often had hundreds or even thousands of applicants. As the weeks passed without any interviews, my anxiety grew. It wasn’t until I changed how I searched on LinkedIn that things finally started to shift. I discovered a little-known LinkedIn filter: “under 10 applicants.” I found it deep within the “All Filters” section, near the bottom, and it turned out to be a game-changer.
This filter helped me uncover job posts with fewer candidates often roles from small businesses that hadn’t gained traction yet. Some jobs had unique or unexpected titles that wouldn’t normally appear in a typical keyword search. I started using this filter consistently in the last month of my search, and it made a big difference. With fewer applicants and early access to new roles, I stood out more quickly. The process became more manageable and less demoralizing. I started seeing positions that were well-suited to my experience and skills.
Before this, I had worked in education and then transitioned into overseeing employee training at a retail company. Although it wasn’t my dream role, it gave me valuable experience. After about a year and a half, I knew I needed something more aligned with my goals. I was burnt out, and I had built a strong portfolio that I was eager to use in a more fulfilling setting. When I applied my new job-search strategy using the filter, things progressed rapidly. I came across a job that seemed interesting, even though it was in the medical field a sector I had no experience in. It was a continuing education role, supporting professionals with licensing and educational resources.
Despite my lack of industry background, I decided to apply. The posting included an HR contact email, which made the process feel more personal. I submitted my résumé, and to my surprise, HR responded the very next day. They were moving quickly to fill the role. Within two weeks, I completed interviews and received an offer letter. It was one of the fastest, most rewarding job search experiences I’ve ever had. The job has been transformative. I work mostly remotely, only going into the office once a month. The company has generous PTO, excellent benefits, and a great work-life balance.
Other LinkedIn filters were useful but not as powerful. I had tried filtering for “posted in the last day,” which sometimes helped me find newer roles. But those jobs, especially at big corporations near Chicago, would often get flooded with applicants almost immediately. Even if I applied within minutes, I was already up against hundreds of other hopefuls. The “under 10 applicants” filter gave me an edge by surfacing hidden gems with less visibility. It helped me prioritize where to spend my time applying, especially when I was on a time crunch.
I’ve since recommended this tactic to others. A coworker was struggling with her job search, so I showed her how to use the same filter. It helped her land her first interview in months, and while the role she eventually accepted had more applicants, this trick got her back in the game. I do wish LinkedIn expanded the feature. Having more applicant count filters, such as “under 25” or “under 50,” would offer better flexibility and help job seekers avoid over-saturated postings while still maintaining a manageable number of competitors.
Ultimately, the filter made a huge difference in my job search. It led me to a role that I truly enjoy one that fits my skills and offers the work-life balance I’d been craving. Job hunting can be exhausting and discouraging, especially when you're competing with hundreds of applicants. But small adjustments, like using the right filters, can completely change the outcome. For anyone who feels stuck in the job search loop, this approach might be the breakthrough you're looking for.
