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Applying for More Jobs Doesn’t Always Improve Your Chances

Applying for More Jobs Doesn’t Always Improve Your Chances
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by
Recruitment Director

When you’re looking for work, it’s very easy to fall into the trap of thinking that the more applications you send, the better your chances must be.

I’ve spoken to candidates who’ve applied for dozens of jobs in a single week, sometimes for completely different types of roles. I understand why. If you need a new job, particularly if you’re currently out of work, it can feel as though you should apply for absolutely everything and hope that something comes back.

In practice, though, a more targeted approach is often much more successful.

Before applying for a vacancy, take a few minutes to read the advert properly and think about whether you genuinely want the job. Do you have most of the skills they’re looking for? Is the location practical? Are the hours suitable? Is the salary somewhere around what you need? Most importantly, if the employer invited you to an interview tomorrow, would you actually want to go?

You certainly don’t need to meet every requirement before applying. Job descriptions often describe an ideal candidate and employers can be flexible, particularly when someone has transferable skills or the right attitude. But there’s a big difference between stretching yourself for an opportunity and applying for something that simply isn’t suitable.

Being selective also gives you more time to make each application count. You can make sure your CV highlights the experience that’s relevant to that particular position and, if you’re including a covering message, explain briefly why the role interests you. That usually makes a much stronger impression than sending exactly the same application to twenty employers.

The same applies when you’re working with a recruitment agency. Tell us what you’re genuinely looking for. If there are jobs you don’t want to do, that’s useful information too. We’re much better placed to help when we understand what would make you say yes to an opportunity rather than simply knowing that you’re looking for “anything”.

At ASL Recruitment, we’d always rather have an honest conversation about what you’re looking for. The aim isn’t to get your CV in front of as many employers as possible. It’s to get it in front of the right ones.

Final Thought

Job hunting isn’t a numbers game. Ten carefully chosen applications can be far more valuable than fifty applications for jobs you never really wanted.




Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

 
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