Shakooza's journey

I was laid off about four months ago due to my company's decision to centralize the executive staff in another country. Since then, I've found the job market at the executive level to be quite "interesting." Initially, I was skeptical about the advice I received regarding networking being crucial for job opportunities, but I've come to realize that around 85% of the traction I've gotten has indeed come from recommendations. I have a strong background in technology, ranking in the top 5% of my field, and while I don't have experience at major companies like Google or Microsoft, my extensive experience is valuable to many organizations. However, I’ve faced significant challenges with applying through LinkedIn. In the past four months, I've only had one serious opportunity from there, and most of my applications are met with quick rejections, often within hours or days, despite being a perfect match for the job descriptions. Reaching out to recruiters has also been largely ineffective; I suspect they are overwhelmed with candidates. Occasionally, I do get contacted by recruiters who express that my resume stands out, but then there’s often silence after that initial interest. On a positive note, I currently have two opportunities where I am a late-stage candidate, and I’m hopeful to land one of them. However, I can't help but wonder if I'm missing something in my job search strategy. The job market feels more than just "crazy" right now.