Why “quick apply” applications doesn’t help your job search…
It’s quality, not quantity that matters in job searching.
Too often, the moment we decide to search for a job is the moment we’ve hit our limit with our current one. Or we’ve been downsized or let go from our current job. And when that happens, the need for a new job hits QUICK!
On the flip side, many people say it’s best to look for a new job when you are happy and settled in your current one. Casually applying to jobs while we are happily employed sounds great in theory- but often, we are so busy that we don’t make time to think about what is next. Plus, we need to be ready for change, and sometimes we aren’t ready… until it’s urgent.
So we start to scour the job boards and submit application after application. And when we don’t see results, we start to apply more… and more.
Often, we are hitting “quick apply” or “easy apply” and shooting off resume after resume, after only briefly reading the job description.
The “Quick Apply” feature on LinkedIn or other job boards was designed to be just that - a quick way to submit a generic application in a short amount of time. But there is more to you and your story than sending out the same application over and over.
Applying quickly to any and every job posted can feel productive, but in reality, it isn’t doing you any good.
When you quickly apply to roles you aren’t invested in, you’re wasting time and energy on things that don’t matter. Chances are, you aren’t going to hear back from those roles, because you only met some of the qualifications, and you didn’t bother to try to tailor your resume.
And if you do hear back – you may not be excited about the opportunity. So how do you land the role you really want?
Get intentional with your job search.
Getting intentional means:
Honing in on your interests.
Deciding what is most important to you.
Is the size of the company important?
Is the industry important?
What kind of work energizes you?
What work matters to you?
It may feel slow, but your search will have better outcomes.
When you slow down and focus on what you are truly interested in, the end result will always be better. You’ll know what you are looking for. You’ll be better able to develop a list of target companies. You’ll know who is in your network who may be able to connect you to opportunities. Your search will be intentional and you’ll see the results you want.
It may feel slower, but it’s OK to be selective as you apply - no matter how urgent the job search feels. It will always lead to a better match in the end.
Thoughtful choices in your job search lead to better interviews. And better interviews lead to better offers in the long run.
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Hi! I’m Christine Beck, a certified coach, resume writer, HR professional and I help mission-driven professionals clarify their goals, tell their career stories, and navigate the job search with confidence. If you are considering your next move or have been applying but not seeing results, let’s talk.
