Whether you’re actively or passively looking for your next job, you might start to question whether you’re putting in the right amount of effort to seal the deal. While every situation is somewhat different depending on your background and goals, we’ve rounded up the best practices for how many jobs you should be submitting applications for and tips to speed up the process in your job search.

How many jobs should you apply for every day?

Most industry experts suggest that submitting two to three job applications per day, or 10-15 per week, is the most strategic target. Fewer than this range, and you might want to expect a slower process. Many more than this range, and you might find yourself sacrificing detail for speed, or applying to jobs that aren’t quite the right fit.

How many applications should you submit if you’re still employed?

When you’re still working in your current role, it can often be difficult to hit that 10-15 application range. While submitting fewer applications does reduce your chances of finding a new job quickly, it doesn’t mean all hope is lost. Simply be prepared for your search to take a little more time. 

To help minimize stress and the risk of losing your current position, it’s recommended that you avoid applying for new jobs during the business day. You should also ensure that you aren’t overly obvious about your quest for a new role on public channels. It can also be helpful to reserve your application time for the weekends, where your attention is less divided.

How many applications should you submit if you’re unemployed?

For most people, being unemployed while job searching often means you have more free time available to dedicate to your applications. If this is the case, increasing your daily quota from 2-3 to say, 3-5, can significantly increase your chances of landing a new job quicker. Challenge yourself to do one or two extra applications each day to give your job hunt a boost. 

To help prevent getting sucked into an application black hole, plan out your day as if it were a day at work. This means including breaks, time to eat lunch, and time to assess what strategies are working better or worse for you so you can make necessary adjustments.

How many jobs should new college graduates apply to?

In most scenarios, fresh graduates are applying for professional internships or entry-level roles in their respective fields. This means that the competition is likely quite stiff, especially in the spring and summer right after graduation.

With this in mind, it’s suggested that you aim to submit a few more applications per week than the 10-15 range in order to cast a broader net and compete. Aim for 15-20 applications each week for the best chances.

Focus on quality over quantity in your job applications

Regardless of your background, current work status, or level of experience, all job searchers should remember that the quality of your applications is more important than quantity. Sending 10 strategic, tailored applications will likely do more good than 20 rushed, untailored ones. 

Whether your resume will be scanned by an applicant tracking system (ATS) or hiring manager, they will be looking for specific details on your resume to match the job description. Taking the time to tailor your resume thoughtfully for each position can mean the difference between getting invited to an interview or not.

4 tips to apply to jobs faster

We know, the resume tailoring and application process isn’t the most exciting activity. Here are a few ways you can streamline your job submissions without sacrificing quality.

Do industry research

The more educated you are on your industry standards and trends, and the style and culture of specific companies you’d like to work for, the easier it will be for you to make strategic adjustments to your resume, cover letter, and application. Stay up-to-date even before you actively begin job searching to minimize stress and maximize your success.

Create a few resume templates for common role variations

In many industries, there are often slight variations in role titles, tasks, and responsibilities. Plan ahead by creating a few different base resume templates that fit your range of possibilities. For example:

  • One company might refer to a role as: Content Specialist
  • While another might refer to a very similar role as: Content Producer
  • And another still might call the role: Content Strategist

You might very well be qualified and able to submit for all three positions. Having a solid foundational resume for each variation can help you save time when tailoring your resume.

Have a document prepared with commonly asked questions and materials

You might start to notice a common trend of types of supplemental questions asked on your job applications. Requests such as a link to your LinkedIn profile, or a portfolio are quite common. Certain long-form answers about your work experiences might also be able to be reused and tweaked between applications. Save yourself some time by compiling this information in an easy-to-access Word document or Note on your computer. 

Use the Jobscan resume optimizer to tailor your resume to the job description

If the process of matching your resume to the job description is slowing you down, the Jobscan Resume Optimizer is here to save the day. This tool scans both your resume and the job description and provides you with a customized list of sections to change and improve upon to present yourself as the best fit for the role. Click here to try it for free.

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James Hu

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