I remember while I was applying for jobs while I was new in town I must've applied to every job in the city but I got probably 4 responses out of nearly 300 applications. 2 of then were scams, one was a call center paying 13.50 an hour, and the other was a security guard position.
The only reason I have a job now is because I happened to walk into my current company and they were hiring.
My girlfriend is experiencing the same thing.
I'm starting to think that indeed is some bullshit that companies use for tax write-offs.