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How many applications is good to start ?
#business #rich #successful #education
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Michelle’s Answer
Hi Jennifer! Assuming you're talking about job applications and not knowing the types of jobs to which you are applying, I think the answer is "as many as you can without the quality of your applications suffering." I agree with the previous poster that a cover letter is a good idea for each job. With that said, if you're looking for a general, entry-level sort of job that many people would qualify for, then more applications may be necessary than if you're a graduate in a highly specific field or have valuable previous work experience. Either way, the job market is tough right now so casting as wide a net as you can sustain is a good idea.
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Simeon’s Answer
I would recommend selecting four different colleges representing different possibilities. Include a stretch goal college, a very affordable one, and some middle range schools that cover your interests. This will give you a chance to look at the strengths and weaknesses of some schools in comparison to others.
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Abbie’s Answer
It's less about applications and instead more about focusing on making the ones that you do apply for more meaningful. I'd recommend a cover letter for every job application. Make sure it stands out on why you are the right person for the job but also what interest you about the job.
Great points Abbie, if there were 100 openings in your area of interest I wouldn't limit your applications. Understanding the role requirements and how you fit in and can provide value to the employer will help you define the quantity. Don't sell yourself short.
Kerri Carbonneau
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Peggy’s Answer
Job applications when they are done well require a great amount of research on the organisation you are applying for.
Firstly, for each organisation you are applying you need to understand their culture, values, type of business they do, their clients, how they compare to their competitors, where they fit in the market place, their brand, the 'language' they speak, the type of people they tend to hire (by looking employee profiles, Linkedin...), what previous employees have to say about them etc.
Secondly, you need to understand where the role you are applying for fits within the organisation and carefully decode the job advert / description / person specification.
Following that, you need to be honest and assess how well you fit the role and the company but also the sector. For example, you may want to work as a Marketing Officer but this role is going to be quite different if you are working for a bank as opposed for a Museum!
This type of research within you and the organisation takes time!
So, to answer your question, because it is so competitive to get a job in the current climate, it is important that you don't waste your time or the employer's. Do fewer but well informed applications, as it will be time well spent which will make you a more credible candidate, more likely to be shortlisted.
In addition, having a 'blanket approach' in your job applications is more likely to affect your confidence negatively as it will generate more rejections. If you do good applications, even if you don't get shortlisted, you will have learnt a lot about yourself and the industry in the process, knowledge that you can use in the next job application!
Firstly, for each organisation you are applying you need to understand their culture, values, type of business they do, their clients, how they compare to their competitors, where they fit in the market place, their brand, the 'language' they speak, the type of people they tend to hire (by looking employee profiles, Linkedin...), what previous employees have to say about them etc.
Secondly, you need to understand where the role you are applying for fits within the organisation and carefully decode the job advert / description / person specification.
Following that, you need to be honest and assess how well you fit the role and the company but also the sector. For example, you may want to work as a Marketing Officer but this role is going to be quite different if you are working for a bank as opposed for a Museum!
This type of research within you and the organisation takes time!
So, to answer your question, because it is so competitive to get a job in the current climate, it is important that you don't waste your time or the employer's. Do fewer but well informed applications, as it will be time well spent which will make you a more credible candidate, more likely to be shortlisted.
In addition, having a 'blanket approach' in your job applications is more likely to affect your confidence negatively as it will generate more rejections. If you do good applications, even if you don't get shortlisted, you will have learnt a lot about yourself and the industry in the process, knowledge that you can use in the next job application!