The academy is different. We tend to grow into s job, but a field of study does require more digging into motive beyond „i need money“, where „i need money“ is the main reason most of us look for jobs.

After my toxic 3 years at a job to whom i did send a cover letter they liked (i liked the company before finding out one guy in the department im in had seniority and was doing dodgy stuff to maintain power)

... i quit and eventually I got my job via connecting with people, and i think thats the best way one could get hired.