Julia Pollak, Chief Economist at ZipRecruiter, highlighted an issue where job seekers approach their job search like college applications, applying widely without tailoring their applications. Recent data from the U.S. Department of Labor showed a slight increase in job openings, stabilizing the labor market. While job openings have increased marginally, the number of quits and hires plateaued, indicating a slowdown in the labor market.
Experts suggest a more strategic approach to job hunting. Applying to two to three jobs daily allows candidates to focus on customizing their resumes, aligning keywords and skills with job requirements. Gabrielle Davis, a career trends expert at Indeed, emphasized the importance of targeting relevant and recent openings. Employers often receive a high volume of applications, making it crucial to apply promptly to increase visibility.
Setting a daily application goal is key, as it maintains momentum. According to a ZipRecruiter survey, 89% of applicants received responses from employers within a week, indicating swift recruitment processes. Job seekers are advised to move on if they don’t receive a response within a week, as delayed responses might lead to missed opportunities.
Moreover, indiscriminate applications within a single company can diminish your chances. Focusing on positions aligned with your background and skills demonstrates commitment. Julia Pollak emphasized the significance of resume formatting, urging applicants to avoid complex layouts, fonts, or images. While incorporating relevant keywords from the job description is important, copying the entire description is discouraged as it can be detected and penalized by application systems.