How do you balance quantity and quality when applying to online job board postings?

If you are looking for a new job, you might be tempted to apply to as many online job board postings as possible, hoping to increase your chances of landing an interview. However, this strategy can backfire if you sacrifice quality for quantity and end up sending generic, poorly tailored, or irrelevant applications. How do you balance quantity and quality when applying to online job board postings? Here are some tips to help you optimize your job search and make a good impression on potential employers.

1 Identify your target jobs

Before you start browsing online job boards, you need to have a clear idea of what kind of jobs you are qualified for and interested in. This will help you narrow down your search and focus on the most relevant opportunities. You can use keywords, filters, and alerts to customize your search criteria and get notified of new postings that match your profile. You can also research the companies, industries, and roles that appeal to you and learn more about their requirements, expectations, and culture.

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Linda Crowder, M.A.

Career Coach | Bookstore Owner | Motivating Action to Achieve Success
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Are you changing your career path? If so, you want to focus on transferable skills and be ready to demonstrate how what you've done gives you the ability to do what you want to do next. Review relevant job postings and compile a list of terminology (keywords), skills and responsibilities, then benchmark this list against your resume and your LinkedIn profile.

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2 Customize your application materials

Once you have identified your target jobs, you need to tailor your resume, cover letter, and any other application materials to each specific position. This means highlighting your skills, achievements, and fit for the role and the company, using keywords and phrases from the job description, and addressing the hiring manager by name if possible. Customizing your application materials will show that you have done your homework, that you are genuinely interested in the job, and that you can add value to the organization.

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3 Track and follow up on your applications

Another way to balance quantity and quality when applying to online job board postings is to keep track of your applications and follow up on them. You can use a spreadsheet, a calendar, or a tool like Jobscan to record the details of each job you apply to, such as the date, the company, the contact person, the status, and the feedback. This will help you avoid applying to the same job twice, monitor your progress, and identify areas for improvement. You can also follow up on your applications by sending a thank-you note, a reminder, or a query after a reasonable period of time, depending on the situation. This will show that you are proactive, persistent, and professional.

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Lisa Dupras

Corp IT➜Tech Career Coach🔹LinkedIn Job Search Expert🔹Tech Resume Writer🔹I help tech professionals showcase their business impact and exceed career goals🔹Let’s crack your career code together!🔹I ❤️ WIT!
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Unless I see other value add from a tool like jobs can, you can use an excel or Google spreadsheet to record your job application detail.

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4 Quality check your applications

Before you hit the submit button, you need to quality check your applications and make sure they are error-free, consistent, and complete. You can use tools like Grammarly, Hemingway, or Resume Genius to check your spelling, grammar, readability, and formatting. You can also ask a friend, a mentor, or a career coach to review your applications and give you constructive feedback. Quality checking your applications will help you avoid mistakes, typos, or gaps that could ruin your chances of getting an interview.

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5 Be selective and strategic

Finally, you need to be selective and strategic when applying to online job board postings. You don't need to apply to every job that meets your criteria, but rather focus on the ones that are most suitable, attractive, and realistic for you. You also need to consider the timing, the competition, and the source of the postings. For example, you might have a better chance of getting noticed if you apply early, if you use niche or industry-specific job boards, or if you leverage your network to get referrals or recommendations.

By following these tips, you can balance quantity and quality when applying to online job board postings and increase your chances of landing your dream job.

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Matt Parkin, CAPM®

Leading partnerships @ Fulfil (eCommerce ERP) 🤝 | Coaching and speaking about all things personal branding and entrepreneurship 🗣️ | 4x Founder 🧩 | FoundersBeta 30 Under 30 🚀
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I applied to hundreds of jobs in my first two years of university with no interviews. In third year, I landed interviews at 8 of 13 I applied to after being more focused on quality > quantity. I built a personal brand on LinkedIn and networked extensively. Don’t throw your resume to the wind and cross your fingers. Take control of your job search and differentiate yourself.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Rick Gillis

Creator of the QTNT(R) (pronounced Quotient) process | Training in the QTNT | Author: YOUR WORK DOES NOT SPEAK FOR ITSELF--YOU DO, LEVELING THE PAYING FIELD, and more. Veteran USAF
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Before applying for any job take an inventory of your very best accomplishments on previous jobs. My foundational mantra, Make Me Money or Save Me Money, is the target. Answer that question when working your inventory and you will find that your audience WILL make time for you, since, after all--MMM or SMM is the only reason you are being considered. C-Suite candidates need histories and backgrounds for at least 10 world-class achievements. Between new grad and CEO? 6 to 8 will do. Explain the Who What Where When Why How and the value (in $'s) delivered for every accomplishment. Reduce that info to a single sentence: ‘Responsible for WHAT (you did) resulting in WOW (i.e.: $'s or time saved/value added)’ and you will get the call.

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How do you balance quantity and quality when applying to online job board postings?

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2

3

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1 Identify your target jobs

2 Customize your application materials

3 Track and follow up on your applications

4 Quality check your applications

5 Be selective and strategic

6 Here’s what else to consider

Job Search Strategies

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How do you balance quantity and quality when applying to online job board postings?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Identify your target jobs

2 Customize your application materials

3 Track and follow up on your applications

4 Quality check your applications

5 Be selective and strategic

6 Here’s what else to consider

Job Search Strategies

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