this is the question nobody wants to actually ask. there's a lot of good content about how rejections are normal, the market is tough, keep going. and that's all true. but at some point you have to ask: is this all market noise, or is something in my process broken?
based on my own search and a lot of conversations here and elsewhere, here's my rough diagnostic:
if you're getting rejections at the application stage (no screening call): resume or targeting problem. either the resume isn't clearing ATS/screener, or you're applying to roles where you're too far from the spec. 20+ application rejections with no callbacks is a resume or targeting signal.
if you're getting screener calls but no onsite invites: recruiter screen or resume presentation problem. your background is passing the paper filter but something in how you describe your experience or discuss comp early isn't landing. could also be a comp mismatch being caught early.
if you're getting onsites but no offers: interview execution or calibration problem. this is where it gets more specific. are you consistently getting tripped up on the same round? technical, behavioral, hiring manager? look for the pattern.
if you're getting final rounds but no offers: this one is genuinely often noise. final rounds have a lot of external variables. 2-3 final round rejections in a row is not necessarily a pattern.
the honest threshold i use: same failure mode in the same stage three or more times means i look hard at that specific stage, not the whole process. it's a QA mindset. find the defect. don't blame the factory.