When I first started my job search, I applied to everything that looked even remotely relevant. Titles, industries, locations — it didn’t matter. I thought quantity would win. Spoiler: it didn’t.
After hundreds of applications, I realized the key wasn’t applying to more jobs — it was applying to the right ones.
Identify Your Top Roles and Industries
Start by getting clear on what you actually want. Ask yourself:
- What are my top three job titles or roles?
- Which industries excite me most? Corporate, non-profit, trade associations, start-ups?
- What type of team and work environment makes me thrive?
When I mapped out my priorities, it became so much easier to focus my energy on opportunities that actually fit my skills and values.
Keep a Job Application Log
One of the best strategies I discovered was keeping a simple log of every job I applied to. Include:
- Job title and company
- Date applied
- Where you found the posting
- Any follow-up or response
At the end of each month, I reviewed the log. Which roles got responses? Which didn’t? Over time, patterns emerged. I could start narrowing my search toward my “dream jobs” — roles where my experience aligned strongly and my applications were getting traction.
Start with 5 Applications a Day
Don’t overwhelm yourself. Start small:
- Apply to 5 jobs a day, 5 days a week
- Spend mornings sending applications
- Spend afternoons browsing and saving potential jobs for the next morning
This creates an “assembly line” approach. You can see more jobs, save time, and stay consistent — without burning out. Over time, as you become better at skimming postings, you can increase the number of applications while staying focused on the right roles.
Narrow, Don’t Scatter
You’ll see 10 postings that aren’t a fit for every one you actually apply to. That’s okay. Being selective isn’t limiting — it’s strategic.
When you focus your applications on positions that match your skills, your niche becomes clear. Hiring managers start noticing the consistency. You become known for the strengths you actually bring to the table — not a scattershot of “maybe fits.”
The Takeaway
Job hunting isn’t about sending out the most applications. It’s about being intentional:
- Know the roles and industries where you can make the biggest impact
- Track your applications to see what works
- Start with a manageable daily routine and refine over time
The more specific you get, the more energy you save — and the closer you get to landing the job that’s truly right for you.
🪄 Pro Tip: Once you’ve narrowed your focus, combine this approach with tools like ChatGPT to craft resumes and cover letters tailored to your top roles — we’ll dive into that in the next blog!
Jacqueline Willoughby 