As background, after being laid off around a month ago, I have applied to hundreds of companies and have interviewed with several forms and companies and usually average a few interviews every week.

It's been a while since I last actively looked for a job, and I'm curious to know what I'm missing.

The interviews seem great, many interviewers seem to be selling thier.firms, they promise to be in touch with news relating to the next steps, they seem engaged, impressed etc but other than a contract position which moved very quickly ( all within a day- which I turned down), I haven't heard back ( despite between told by a few interviewers/recruiters etc that I was a top candidate, they were impressed etc) or I quickly received feedback they were considering other candidates instead.

I am curious for your take:

• In today's market, what are good indicators that a company is considering me as a top candidate?

• Is it possible my prior employer, who laid me off but stressed it was not for cause, is hindering my chances?

I'd love to hear your prospective