I hit 100 applications before my first callback and that broke something in my brain

Was tracking every job I applied to in a spreadsheet during my switch from retail to IT support. Hit exactly 100 on a Tuesday morning at 2am after my shift ended. Seeing that number made me realize I was just spraying resumes everywhere without targeting any of them. Started focusing on local companies in Phoenix and tailoring each application instead. Anyone else hit a milestone number that forced them to change their whole strategy?

2 comments

2 Comments

zarapalmer8d ago

100 applications is a lot, but I think that milestone just shows you were putting in the work. The people saying to only send 10 tailored apps are lucky or already have connections. In a market like Phoenix for IT support, sometimes you have to spray and pray a little just to get your foot in the door somewhere. Targeting is great, but it also takes way longer and you might miss out on a job you didn't even know existed. I'd say keep tailoring when you can, but don't beat yourself up for casting a wide net. That callback proves the numbers game works sometimes, you just can't quit early.

rosel838d ago

Spray and pray a little" exactly describes what my buddy did when he moved to Austin for IT work. He sent out maybe 80 apps in two weeks with just a few tweaks to his resume, and a small MSP called him for an interview on a job he barely glanced at. Now he's been there three years and says he never would have found that place if he'd only sent 10 targeted apps.