Blog Post: Applying for Too Many Jobs Can Work Against You

A friend of mine recently asked me to check her cover letter, and as I was looking at it and reading over the job description, I asked her if she felt she was really qualified for the position. She said that it didn’t really matter. The worst that could happen was that she
would be denied.

That is true. However, applying for everything, whether qualified or not, is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, we live in tough economic times, and it may be necessary to apply for many positions before finding one. On the other, indiscriminate application may often work against us. Consider this issue from the position of an employer.

The employer looks through many resumes while searching to fill positions from lower administrative levels to higher professional levels. The first thing looked for is some kind of a reasonable match between the requirements of the position and what the person has to offer in terms of education and skills. The individuals who do not seem to have anything to offer are immediately put into a “no” pile.

For employers having to go through hundreds of resumes, such resumes may sometimes bring a smile and the thought: “How did this guy even think he would get in?” More often than not, however, they cause dismay and anger: “Didn’t he/she read the basic job requirements? Why is this person wasting my time applying for a Ph.D.-level position with a high school diploma?”

Do you dislike a fake smile, a false statement, an inauthentic remark? Employers feel the same way.  When they get an application that screams, “I applied just because it was something to do and the worst you can do is deny it,” they want to do exactly that.

When employers see the same name coming up in five different searches, each time claiming this is the only perfect job for him or her, they begin to think that the person doesn’t mean anything he or she says. So, while applying to many positions is important, be selective and make sure that every application you submit conveys authenticity in terms of your ability and desire to do the job.

In a recent interview, a woman was asked why she chose to apply for that particular position. Her answer impressed me with its simplicity. She said, “I thought it was a perfect match between the requirements of the job and what I had to offer. I don’t apply just for any jobs. When I saw it, I was excited, because I found a position to which I could really bring a lot.” When submitting your application, make sure that the person who reads it will have the same impression about you.

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Natalie Candela
Basic Learning Systems
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info@basic-learning.com
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