The Best Job Application Strategy

…Is to reduce your emphasis on submitting applications to posted positions and focus most of your time and effort on networking. You have a very, very tiny l chance of landing even an interview, much less the job, unless you’re a really perfect, concretely demonstrable fit for a posted job, and check all of the boxes indicated as to required background, experience, skills, and personal characteristics (e.g. ‘excellent attention to detail’ or ‘thriving in a fast-paced environment’). SO, almost always submitting applications “blindly” is virtually guaranteed to be a waste of time. Contrary to the advice you may often hear, sending out a stream of applications is invariably a big waste of time (particularly if those applications are tailored, which they should always be, but whose tailoring takes time and effort). What’s more, the crickets you’re liable to hear after your applications are submitted undermine your confidence and deepen your pessimism about ever landing a better position.

The Metrics

As cited by Appolo Tehnical, a leading DMV area recruiter, “According to HubSpot, 85% of jobs are filled through networking. In fact, according to CNBC, 70% of jobs are never published publicly. These jobs are either posted internally or are created specifically for candidates that recruiters meet through networking. Though it’s possible to get a job by simply sending your resume aimlessly to job boards and postings, these statistics clearly show that networking is the best way to create a successful career.” There’s really no substitute for using your network to advance your career.

Learn the Principles of Effective Networking

There are numerous reservations people harbor about networking. Does it feel like you’re using people? Unsure about the kinds of people you need connect with? Don’t know what message to deliver as you reach out to people? Insecure about being rejected when you reach out? These are commonly held, but overcomable obstacles to successful networking. Learn the principles of effective networking with professional networking coaching & Superconnector or The Startup of You are two particularly good sources. Then partner with a professional career coach (me!) who can guide you to the best, and most effective, networking techniques.