Should I Apply For Alot Of Jobs To Get Shortlisted For Interviews?

By Kibet Tobias
“I have been unemployed for almost a year now. I have been sending out over 30 applications per week for jobs which I think I’m qualified for. The saddest bit is that I have not been contacted for any interview. Am I sending very few applications and how many job applications should I be sending out in a week?” asks Caren Wilson in an email.
In response to Caren, applying for many different positions works if you are truly qualified for the positions you’re applying to. If you are a strong candidate for all the positions, it makes sense to apply to them to get that interview.
Actually there is no set number in making any job applications. You can frequently apply for many jobs as you like, but what matters is if you are targeting the right job. Obviously when you are unemployed, it is understandable to make as many applications as you can, just to set your foot on the door of the hiring manager.
However, this should not be used as a way of applying for each and every job. Think about what interests you about the job, think about what you have to offer, and how you are going to demonstrate this in your application. Always limit yourself and try to be realistic.
Some people recommend applying to one job at a time and, if you don’t hear back and some time has passed, applying to another position later.

Here Are The Reasons Why You Should Apply For Fewer Jobs To Get Interviews

1. Sending out many applications will not increase your chances
When it comes to getting hired, you don’t increase your chances of success by sending out more applications, you increase it through sending our better ones.
This technique is now outdated. Most job seekers have the notion that the more I send, the greater my chances of getting the job. In the end they fail to keenly look at the job requirements and understand if they meet the threshold or not.
There is no point in sending too many job applications to a position where you don’t qualify, because you are only going to feel desperate and desperation leads to frustration and lack of motivation.
If you spot a job that you think you qualify for, you should make an effort of carefully draft out your CV and Cover Letter. Read the job posting carefully. Make sure that you understand the actual duties and responsibilities of the job, and if you can handle the challenges indicated on the role well, then go ahead and apply. This is far much better than sending out a myriad of applications to over 50 jobs where you do not qualify.
The rule: Only apply for jobs for which you meet at least the majority of qualifications. And reduce more job search disappointments.
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2. How you present your cv and cover letter really matters
If you are serious enough about a particular job, you would take time to edit your CV and Cover Letter so as to fit the job. Unemployment is a desperate situation, but that does not mean you become lazy and use the same CV and Cover Letter for each position applied.
Remember that each job advert is different and some of the roles in your CV or Cover Letter indicated are likely to differ with the job description, hindering your chances of getting the job.
Are you tailoring your CV and Cover Letters to each job? Sending out a mass quantity of applications is not going to get you a job. Instead, take time to edit your CV to match the advertiser’s requirements. Invest in showcasing your skills and expertise that are relevant to the advert.
3. Applying blindly
Don’t be tempted to go on a spree, applying for jobs left and right with little to no attention to the specific requirements and details of each position. This is unwise and is simply a waste of your time and that of the employer.
Always apply for jobs that match your qualifications because it is a total waste of time to apply for a job you don’t qualify. A CV that is specifically tailored and specific to a job will always stand out from the multitude of generic applications, and that is how you get noticed by the hiring manager. At the end of the day, quality is what matters in terms of job applications.
At the end of it, remember to be active, but attentive. Be persistent, but patient. Be eager, but well-informed. Understand your unique situation as a job seeker. Know that it is not about the number of applications you submit, but about your effort, dedication, and progress. All the best in your interviews!
If you have any career related queries, contact tobias@www.careerpointkenya.co.ke