Radio silence on 100 applications

“I feel like I’ve applied for one hundred jobs but I am not making any progress. I’ve had a few interviews, some have got close, but the vast majority of the time I’m not hearing back from job applications? Am I doing something wrong?”

- Simon, 34, NSW

Hi Simon,

I’ll be blunt here - if you are not hearing back from the vast majority of your job applications then yes you are doing something wrong.

It’ll be one of two reasons (or both);

1. You’re applying for the wrong jobs. Stop doing that. Once I got an application from a flight attendant seeking a job as a Director of Medical Services in a major hospital. Be realistic with what you’re actually able to do, and the amount of time you can wait for the right thing to come along.
   
   Applying for everything that moves may convert 1/10 to an interview but you’ll be interviewing with 9/10 rejections in the back of your head. Don’t deflate yourself unnecessarily. If you need work soon, go lateral or under your capability. If you have time, carefully shoot a bit over what you’re capable of. If you’re applying well and can hold your nerve, you’ll start turning it around.

2. You’re applying wrong. If you want to increase your hit rate for interviews, apply for less and apply more strategically. Call or email someone from the organization you’re applying to before you apply - find yourself an inside track or create an opportunity by reaching out directly to build trust with the hiring manager. Aim for a handful of really solid applications per week (Centrelink’s Jobseekers program have this right when they say 5 / fortnight).

Good luck mate!