We need enough, not more. The concept of "more" and "surplus" got us into this capitalist dystopia. I know this isn't the point you're making. I'm just making a separate point that I thought of reading yours. :)
I used to develop with PHP all the time . That was back in 2010 when my teenage soul still had hope and dreams. Can someone still developing tell me what I should use for the backend today? Also I can never understand GIT as a single developer. The fuck is that? I've tried everything to understand.
It's a numbers game. Keep applying all the time. Sad reality but nothing we as pleebs can do to change this.
You probably already do this, but gear your resume to the job description. Provide examples for the qualities the hiring manager is looking for.
Bonus: I've recommended hiring someone with less education over higher education because I knew they would fit better with our team. Worse than someone that doesn't have skills is someone that can't work with my team.
I'm a hiring manager occasionally and I never got a cover letter and I don't care for it. It'll probably be written by AI anyway. Your interview tells me 80% of what I need to know.
In this economy?!