Create a site that people who applied to an employer can go to announce they have, and employees can look up the numbers themselves. It'll give employees a feel for application numbers, and those who are tasked with interviewing will have a feel for the actual rate of candidate generation.

Or, as a hiring manager, don't be a douche and be candid with your team.

Track followup rate and other metrics that would let applicants filter/sort to appropriately prioritize "cylindrical filing cabinet" postings.