52 Job Applications Without Response, Graduate Turns to Simple Stall

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Amid the belief that a bachelor’s degree opens more job opportunities, the reality on the ground does not always align with that notion.

For some people, the journey after graduation is instead marked by repeated rejections, even without the chance to simply attend an interview process.

Furqon Fauzi (38), an English literature graduate, had to face the bitter reality when dozens of job applications he submitted yielded no results.

“As far as I remember, there were about 52 companies I applied to and submitted my CV to. However, not a single one accepted me. Let alone accepting me, I wasn’t even called for an interview,” Furqon said when contacted on Wednesday (15/4/2026).

Furqon is a graduate of Universitas Islam Bandung. After graduating in 2010, he briefly worked as a sales representative in an automotive company and then moved between jobs for nearly a decade.

However, before that, he also tried to find work aligned with his educational background.

He applied to various places, including publishing companies and international institutions.

“I also once tried applying to an embassy office, but unfortunately, it never worked out,” he said.

“Honestly, I never expected to get a job that matches my field of study,” he added.

After nearly a decade working at various companies, the COVID-19 pandemic became the end point of his corporate career.

He was part of the wave of workers affected by layoffs.

The situation at the time made job opportunities even narrower, not only for him but for many others.

“Because at that time, let alone accepting new employees, even long-term employees had to be let go,” he said.

After several months of unemployment, Furqon began seeking ways to survive.