John Huân Vũ submitted 6,000 applications over 16 months before a former colleague's referral led to a senior consultant role at Visa.
John Huân Vũ spent 16 months searching for work after PayPal laid him off in July 2024. His final interview fell on his 40th birthday in November 2025. The offer from Visa came shortly after.
Vũ told Business Insider he submitted more than 6,000 applications to over 2,000 companies during the search. He tracked every one in a spreadsheet. The recruitment process had shifted sharply since his last job hunt more than a decade ago. Some companies used AI-powered interview tools. Many job postings disappeared within 48 hours or after receiving only a few hundred applications, he said.
He kept close tabs on LinkedIn and HiringCafe. He updated his resume to match current market standards. The changes helped him secure more interviews. They did not immediately produce an offer.
The job search stretched on. His family's finances tightened. Vũ and his husband, who runs an interior design business, reviewed their accounts. They realized they might have to sell their home without another income source.
To cut costs, the couple relied on Buy Nothing groups, coupons, SNAP benefits, and local food pantries. Vũ recalled arriving at food pantries hours before opening to collect groceries. He then rushed home for interviews. He credited his church community, Buy Nothing groups, and food pantry volunteers with helping his family through the period.
While documenting his search on Facebook, Vũ caught the attention of a former colleague from his time at PayPal and Visa. The colleague contacted him in October 2025 about an opening for a senior consultant position at Visa. He encouraged Vũ to apply, despite Vũ's initial doubts about his qualifications. Vũ later learned the colleague had recommended him to recruiters and interviewers, citing his work ethic, communication skills, and ability to deliver results.
Reflecting on the experience, Vũ advised job seekers to modernize their resumes. He stressed the value of maintaining professional relationships. "The human side still matters," he said.
Now employed again, Vũ volunteers at the same food pantry that supported him during his unemployment. He described it as "a beautiful full-circle moment."
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