One of the most damaging pieces of job search advice is:
“Apply to as many jobs as possible.”
It sounds logical – people often talk about the ‘numbers game’. But it rarely works.
Recruiters are not impressed by volume.
They are looking for best fit.
Applying to dozens of loosely relevant roles often results in:
- rejection
- no response
- frustration
A much more effective approach is to focus on:
- roles that genuinely match your experience
- organisations that value your skills
- a CV that clearly communicates your impact
In hiring, quality beats quantity almost every time.
A well-targeted application can outperform 50 generic ones.
Churning out a CV every minute, or using automated systems that send tens, if not hundreds, each minute, can only result in failure – invest time in your next role. I have worked with someone – a senior executive – who spends about 2-3 hours per application. This includes researching the company to ensure that they are happy they would/could fit in.