How To Narrow Down Your Job Search And Make Each Application Count

Anyone who is conducting a job search knows that there are a number of ways to go about it. In fact, there are new tricks are coming up each day. But that doesn’t mean that it’s easy; it can really be a frustrating process. Most times it takes a lot of patience and dedication to get anywhere near an interview.

Now, you surely don’t want to send out applications right, left, and center without having any response. You’ve already gone there and done that. You want to hit the bull’s eye on almost every application you send out.

ADVERTISEMENT

One thing you need to do is to narrow down your search and make each application you send count. For tips on how to do that, continue reading. With these tips, you will be getting calls for interviews before you know it!

job search

Identify The Position You’re Looking For

One mistake that you don’t want to be entangled in when it comes to job hunting is sending applications out for all vacancies. You can set out with a job search routine every day. However, if you haven’t narrowed down your options, it will be a lot tougher.

ADVERTISEMENT

Most of the departments you’re looking to apply to have distinct roles that you should be aware of. Take some time before you apply to understand them. Subsequently, apply for the one that best suits your skill sets.

Appropriate Experience Level Requirements Counts

Sometimes your level of experience can be the factor that doesn’t get you the job. So, if you haven’t reached the level of experience needed for a certain position, you need to back down to a lower level. When you back down a level your chances of landing a job are quite high and you can grow from there.

If you’re switching industries, you should be willing to start at probably a lower level. It makes you look hungry and eager to learn in a position where you have little or no expertise.  It’s quite unfortunate that a number of people send applications to positions that require more than they have and hope to get the job. It’s a failure and a waste of time.

ADVERTISEMENT

Search In The Right Industry

You want to focus your search, correct? Then why don’t you look into the right industry? There are numerous individuals who will send out applications to industries that don’t suit them or their skills and experience and still hope to get a job.

Take a deep look at yourself and understand your strengths and weaknesses; know where you will thrive if given the opportunity. Mark what you can offer from the job requirements listed; and if you can genuinely offer at least half of what’s being required from the job, you’re good to go. Knowing your strengths will make you sail smoothly through job interviews if you get the call.

Use Your Network

What’s the easiest way to sail through the vetting process? You guessed it, through an introduction. If you get the right introduction to the recruiter, you can easily get to the interview process. And don’t look at it in terms of getting one because you know someone from the inside; introductions are a legal, ethical, and common way to get a job.

Take your time and create some new connections. Network with a number of recruiters in your industry through LinkedIn and other forums. The best thing about using LinkedIn is that your experience and skills are out there for everyone to see. The insider information you get from your contact will, at times, get you to the interview process and may also land you the job.

job search

Conclusion

Narrowing down your job search can be one of the best ways to ensure you get feedback on your applications. But you have to go about it strategically and with a lot of care as you don’t want to miss out on a great opportunity.

However, the tedious process of wasting your energy on irrelevant applications will be averted. The steps above show how you can easily start narrowing down your job search and make each application you send out count.

Also read – How To Narrow Down Your Job Search And Make Each Application Count