[thirdtry]

I am also searching now, so here are my statistics after four months searching Silicon Valley for a combo hardware/software job, with masters degree, and lots of experience (old :-) 75 applications 48 companies employ someone I know 27 companies I applied without knowing anyone 13 phone interviews 6 face-to-face interviews zero face-to-face interviews at companies where I don't know anyone zero offers so far one company is at the offer stage (perfect fit, I have worked with the hiring manager for years-- he ought to offer) four companies are currently between the first interview and the offer stage.

Other interesting observations: one company called back for a second interview after six weeks. I thought they had ghosted me.

Another company (highly qualified) called for a second interview after three months.

There was a company that listed reasonable requirements on their ad, and then in the phone interview they wanted someone with extreme talent. Why waste my time? Why waste their time? Don't put hard requirements in the "nice to have" section please!