Blog Post: Customize Your Job Search for Better Results

The answer, surprisingly enough, is no.  Sending your resume out to every job listed on a company’s career site sends the message to the employer that you are desperate and willing to take any job regardless of whether you are qualified or not.  The chances that you are qualified for and interested in every job that the company has available are not very high.  Plus the employer will assume that you’re following the same practice with other companies as well rather than choosing this particular employer over all the rest.  Conducting a job search in this manner may also raise the red flag that you’re too lazy to target your skills for a specific job and company. 

Now I do understand that the state of the economy makes it difficult to be as picky as you would like, but you should think about it from the employer’s point of view.  They want to feel as if you chose their company because you were being picky and actually want to work there, not because it was the only company that called you back.

Here are some tips you can follow for more effective applications.  

1)  Don’t apply to every job that’s available in the company.  It sends the message that you haven’t taken the time to figure out which direction you want to go in.  Instead make a list of your skills, accomplishments, experience, and responsibilities that you have held and search for positions that match.    

2)  Take the time to read the job description and the qualifications and figure out if you meet the requirements.  If you haven’t been in a similar position, but believe that your skills are transferable, make sure that you tailor your resume so that it reflects how what you have done relates to the responsibilities of the position for which you’re applying.

3)  Double-check and make sure you have the company’s name correct before on your resume, cover letter, and application before sending.  One of the most common mistakes that I see on resumes and cover letters is the wrong company name or industry.

4)  If you’re unsure of what the qualifications or responsibilities are, call the employer and ask.  This tactic can save you from wasting your time tailoring your resume for a job that you’re not qualified for.

5)  Follow up with employers after you have sent your application.  

Tailoring your job search will save you time and increase the chances that you get the job you want.  Good luck!