I've been actively applying for senior software engineering roles for the past six weeks, but it feels like I'm just shouting into a void. Despite having a strong background with 8 years of experience and having successfully shipped significant projects, I'm finding that I'm getting ghosted before even reaching the human review stage. I can clear technical screens when I get to them, but the issue lies in not even getting that far. I suspect something is happening between my application submission and the recruiter actually reviewing my materials—whether it's due to ATS filters, keyword mismatches, or just the sheer volume of applications. This black hole isn't new, but it feels particularly pronounced lately, and I can't help but wonder if it's just me or a broader trend in the job market. I'm curious if others at the senior individual contributor level are experiencing the same challenges. Are referrals now a necessity for getting traction in applications, or do cold applications still yield results for senior roles? I'm trying to figure out if the landscape has shifted so much that applying cold is mostly a waste of time in 2025, or if there are specific strategies that have worked for others.