This is the worst way to find a new job.
Want to know the worst way to find a new job?
Applying for jobs online.
Yet ironically, 99% of job seekers spend 99% of their time doing just that.
Case in point: I’ve encountered dozens of people who’ve reported applying to 1000+ jobs without any positive results. They use a method I like to call “spray and pray” to look for a new job. And usually all this ends up getting them is rejected.
Like this guy:
This method of “spray and pray” rarely does.
When it comes to to look for a job, most people update their resume and apply to jobs. And often times, they apply to any job they find remotely interesting.
That’s it. That’s the entirety of their job search strategy.
Spray and pray is essentially a brute-force method of applying. You have very (very) low odds of actually landing a job interview. And the chances of the job being a good fit for you too are incredibly low. Besides, if you’re going to spend this much effort and time, you may as well do something that actually works.
Therefore, this is the worst way to find a new job.
Here’s why.
Reason 1: The competition is fierce.
With the increase in remote work, employers have also seen an uptick in applicants. Previously, you had to be reasonably close to the job or willing to relocate.
However, candidate pools have drastically increased as remote-first work has become less taboo.
But as more companies force return-to-office mandates, candidates are furiously applying to ANY remote job available.
We’re also seeing a rise in ChatGPT-based AI tools like Massive, which contribute to increased candidate volumes.
Your competition is much stiffer than a few years ago.
And it’s not uncommon for companies to receive 1000+ applications, especially for increasingly rare remote jobs.
Reason 2: You (probably) aren’t a good fit.
Because of the above reason, most candidates aren’t a great fit for the jobs they’re applying to. They lack a majority of the key skills and experiences that employers are looking for.
There’s advice going around that you should apply to any job you remotely qualify for (or are even interested in).
While you can make an argument to “shoot your shot,” most of the time, this just results in a rejection.
Note: As a recruiter, I’d estimate that only 5-10% of the 1000 candidates who applied for my jobs matched even some of the requirements.
Make no mistake. In this competitive market, employers are very picky. (And with this many candidates, they can afford to be.)
So, if you don’t closely match the job, you may be wasting your time.
Reason 3: You’re (probably) not being seen
Because so many candidates clutter up the ATS systems, oftentimes you may not even be seen.
This is partly because of keyword screening (the recruiter searches for profiles with specific skills listed). But more often, the recruiter is looking for a slate of 3-5 initial candidates.
Once they are screened and submitted for review, the recruiter moves on to another role. Rinse and repeat.
You may not even be seen if your timing stinks or your profile isn’t optimized.
Reason 4: Your resume (probably) stinks
Your resume isn’t as good as you think it is.
I’m batting 99% on this one.
In nearly every coaching session, my students have issues with their resumes that need to be addressed. (yes, even those who think, “I don’t need help with mine!”).
And I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gotten the “Ohh…I never realized I was doing it all wrong”.
Most resumes I see are:
- pointlessly wordy
- overcomplicated
- unrelated to the job
- redundant
In other words, they do not view their resumes from a recruiter’s perspective. (If you’ve never recruited before, who can blame you?)
And it certainly costs them the job.
Reason 5: Employers are finding their own candidates
Because recruiters are “graded” on how quickly they can fill a job with a qualified candidate, they often source their candidates concurrently.
In fact, I rarely hired candidates from a job application for my senior roles. (because most simply weren’t a good fit)
I know this sounds frustratingly maddening, but put your recruiter cap on.
We normally have 45 days to fill the job; otherwise, our metrics will be impacted.
If I were to “post and pray,” I’d be taking a huge risk of not filling the job with the right candidate.
So, I will simultaneously look for my own candidates (who closely match the profile).
Ok, so what is effective?
I know what you’re thinking.
Recruiters are incompetent and don’t know what they’re doing.
And while I’d like to back you up on this, it’s simply not true (at least not in a widespread way).
- The reality is that your competition is forcing you to adapt.
- Those “shooting their shot” are forcing you to out-strategize them.
- Those 1000 other applications are hiding yours.
What can you do?
Find alternative ways to get seen. In a crowded market, doing what everyone else does won’t cut it (ie…don’t be average).
If it were me, I’d do the following:
- Make sure I had a customized, well-targeted resume.
- Applied early (first 24-48 hours)
- Leveraged targeted networking to increase my odds on places like LinkedIn.
I wouldn’t just spray and pray, hope for the best, and never adjust my strategy. This is the worst way of looking for a new job.
But that’s just me.
Whenever you’re ready, there are 2 ways I can help you:
1 – If you’re still looking for traction in your business, I’d recommend starting with an affordable course:
Resume Rocketfuel: This best-selling course will teach you the exact system I use to write your own professional-quality resume quickly and easily. (ATS-approved templates included!)
The Ultimate Jobseeker Bootcamp : This A-to-Z guide takes you from job search all the way to offer negotiation, provided detailed, recruiter-proven strategies. Don’t leave a single dime on the table ever again!
Unlocking LinkedIn: Walks you step-by-step on how to set up a profile for maximum discoverability, techniques for accessing the hidden job market and how to cut in front of the long application lines. Learn how to skip the recruiter altogether!
2. Gain extra personalized clarity with private 1×1 coaching
Have a specific question or strategy that requires more tailored help? I offer limited private coaching sessions. My clients have had too many “ah ha!” moments to count.
Happy hunting!
-Bryan
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