Job-search burnout doesn't announce itself. It just slowly drains the quality out of every application you send. Five early signals worth paying attention to: You're applying to roles you don't actually want because the act of applying feels like progress. It isn't. Your cover letters start sounding identical: same generic enthusiasm, same vague "I'm a great fit." That's a sign you've stopped thinking about each role and started farming applications. You can't recall what you said in your last interview within 24 hours. Memory is the first thing burnout takes. You're refreshing job boards as an emotional regulation strategy, not a discovery strategy. Rejections that used to sting for an afternoon now sting for a week: the recovery window is widening.
If three or more land for you, the playbook isn't "try harder." It's: pause new applications for 7 days. Use the time for 2-3 high-effort follow-ups on existing pipeline, plus a sleep + exercise reset. Most people who do this say their next-week application quality jumps measurably.
Burnout is a signal that your strategy is depleting your strategist. Both need rest.