Online job applications?

Now that I have my CDL class A I am stuck with applying for jobs online.  You end up giving out a wealth of personal information, and not hearing back from anyone!

Following up is next to impossible! I've tried numerous phone calls, and showing up in person, only to be told " you need to apply online".

Like so many jobs, I think it comes back to 'who you know".

I applied for city and county jobs. That was....." a learning experience" to put it politely!  Fortunately, I have a friend who actually writes/designs these same kind of application programs that kept shutting down on me.

My friend gave me words of encouragement, " you did fine. Don't feel bad. No one would know how to get around this. These where written 15 yrs. ago and need a lot of updating.  Don't feel stupid, it's their system that's screwed up, not you. Look at it this way, imagine how many other people struggle with these things and give up? At least we got your name in".

I am also struggling with being  either 'overqualified' again, or not having enough recent experience.