When badly in need of a job, most people are tempted to send applications out to as many employers as possible. They justify this activity by telling themselves, “Well, I need get myself noticed, my voice heard by all means. Any job will do.”

Some of you are certainly aware that this is an attempt made in vain, yet still comfort yourselves with the rationale it’s better doing hopeless things than nothing at all. But why don’t you pause for a moment and consider the reverse?

Quality trumps Quantity, every time!
You might feel hurt to learn this, but most recruitment managers just scan your resume based on set key words rather than read it thoroughly. For each opening, they receive a swamp of applications, and therefore they will decide quickly which applications end up in the rubbish bin without a second look. It’s up to you to decide how to invest your time, but don’t be foolish by working on the quantity of applications when what really matters is the quality of the content of each one.

Someone is living your life for you
Often, the number of applications you fire off equals your level of disorientation. This is especially true when you are not only applying to many different jobs, but across many industries as well. Just as it is good to live your life with purpose, so is it to go about your job search. When you chose that major at school you may not have known what you wanted to become when you grew up, and that’s fine. But now it is time to decide.

If you send too many applications to too many companies in too many industries, prospective employers will question your focus and commitment. If you take any job you are offered, you are relying on chances, with no set goal, and no purpose in life. You leave it to the surroundings to act on you. You loose control of your future, and may decrease your chance for success.

So be sure to start with focus and stay in control. Paradoxical though it seems, the less applications you post, the higher your probability of success. Start from within, reach out with your end goal in mind, and be prepared for the big!

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