People Shocked After College Student Shows Results Of Applying To Nearly 500 Jobs

It's hard not to feel a bit pessimistic about job hunting in your chosen field these days. It seems like an uphill battle.

The paradox is all too familiar: even entry-level positions demand extensive experience, yet acquiring that experience requires experience you don't have. It's an endlessly frustrating cycle.

Oliver Wu, studying computer science at the University of Michigan, knows all too well the challenges of breaking into the professional world. 

He didn't just apply to a handful of internships; he applied to an astounding total of 456, all in the hopes of carving out a path in the tech industry.

Wu took to TikTok to share his meticulous approach to managing his applications. 

He crafted a spreadsheet to keep tabs on the progress of each application, including stages of interviews, links for Google searches, and referrals from focus groups.

Despite still being a junior in college, Wu's ambition was clear. 

He began his quest for internships in July, even before his college term started, driven by a keen pursuit of practical experience.

After reaching the 200-application mark, Wu settled into a consistent routine of job hunting, though he eventually stopped counting the exact number of applications sent.

Olie Wu developed a routine for applying for internships. Credit: TikTok/@oliesandroid

In an interview with Newsweek, Wu explained his strategy: 

"Usually, I would open up two or three job boards, see what new jobs were posted, and then apply to all of the jobs if the salary, location, roles etc. met what I was looking for."

"I also kept track of which companies I had referrals to and checked on a weekly basis if those companies had opened up their applications."

In addition to applying, Wu dedicated time to honing his skills for technical interviews, showcasing his commitment to advancing his career. 

This tireless effort is precisely why the revelation of his results has left many astounded.

Wu disclosed in his TikTok video that, from 456 applications, 56 interviews, 30 technical assessments, and 22 second and third-round assessments, he received only one job offer.

"The hardest part was staying positive and working hard, despite having hundreds of rejections," Wu shared with Newsweek.

Another person commented: "The struggle is real. Also having a hard time to find a job."

Despite the numerous rejections, Wu maintained on TikTok that the exhaustive process was 'worth it' in the end, as he accepted a position at Ford as an enterprise technology intern.

Olie created a detailed spreadsheet to track his progress. Credit: TikTok/@oliesandroid

The moment he received the offer, Wu felt an overwhelming sense of relief. 

"I was in class at the time and I remember stepping out, going into the hallway, and jumping up and down while silently screaming in excitement for around 10 minutes," he recounted.

Following his initial offer from Ford, Wu received two more offers from different companies but chose to stay with Ford.

After navigating through such an extensive application process, Wu offered three key pieces of advice for others embarking on their job search.

First, the importance of networking through LinkedIn and career fairs; second, the value of practicing for interviews; and third, the virtue of patience.