authentic career + life design

Step Seven:
Apply Strategically with a
Targeted Job Search

We’re on step seven of our Ten Part Series on Mastering Your Job Search in Ten Essential Steps. You can listen to previous episodes on steps one through four, along with an overview in the first episode.

Don’t miss out on the previous steps in Mastering Your Job Search in 10 Essential Steps.

• Step One: Define Your Path
• Step Two: Research Your Career Field
• Step Three: Crafting Your Resume
• Step Four: Networking Effectively
• Step Five: The Power of Expert Guidance in Your Job Search Journey
• Step Six: Finding Job Openings

More Isn’t Always Better

I’ve seen it time and time again. Job seekers getting frustrated because they have applied to literally hundreds of jobs and heard nothing. Crickets. Though there are many games of chance, your job search shouldn’t be one of them.

Have you been stuck in the frustrating cycle of applying to countless job postings without any response? You’re not alone. It’s a common tale I have heard far too often.

But here’s the thing: it’s not about the quantity of applications you submit; it’s about the quality and strategy behind each one.

Your Targeted Search

Applying strategically involves tailoring your applications to specific positions that align with your skills, experience, and career goals.

Before you begin a job search you will need to know the answer to this question:

“What are
you seeking
in your
next position?”

Quality Over Quantity

Instead of casting a wide net and applying to every job in sight, focus on positions that align closely with your skills, experience, and career goals. 

Submitting a targeted application means that you will tailor all of your materials including your resume and cover letter, to highlight relevant skills and experiences for each application. I’ll share a detailed, step-by-step process for how to do this. Once you complete a few applications using these steps you will develop a process and language to copy and paste as you continue your search.

You can watch me demonstrate this entire process on this YouTube episode.

Watch Video: Step Seven: Apply Strategically with a Targeted Job Search

Join host Laura in this episode of Authentic Career + Life Design as she shares how to Apply Strategically with a Targeted Job Search

Listen to this episode on your favorite podcast player:

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Step 1: Organize your job search

Organize your job search by creating electronic file folders.  I recommend these file folder titles:

• Job Search
  • Master: Place materials that you will use throughout your job search repeatedly. As you use them, copy them rather than changing the originals.
    • Master resume
    • Master cover letter
    • Master list of references
    • Master thank you 
    • Original work samples
    • Official academic transcripts 
    • Official certifications

• <job title>: Create a folder for each position. Duplicate and “save as,” using the job title as the label, for the following
  • <job title, last name, resume>
  • <job title, last name, cover letter>
  • You can add additional documents if changes to them are required.  Otherwise, you can simply use what you have in your Master folder.

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Step 2: Review One Job Opening

Find one job opening that appeals to you and aligns with your career goal. Either print or copy and paste the job description into a doc that you can mark up.

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Step 3: Highlight Skills on Job Description

Review the job description and highlight all of the key skills, experiences, responsibilities, requirements, and qualifications for the position THAT YOU POSSESS. 

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Step 4: Match Resume with Job Description

Open your resume that you saved as <job title, last name, resume>.  Check to see if the items you highlighted in the job description are clearly included. 

If they are, yay!  You are on the right track. 

If they are not, think of how you might use the exact same language from the job description to add to your resume.

Review your resume for errors.  If you haven’t already, ask someone you trust to review your resume as well. 

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Step 5: Write a Cover Letter

Opinions vary on whether cover letters are necessary or relevant. Most online application processes either ask for a cover letter or offer a step to add one as an option. Think of a cover letter as a place to add context and additional information that may not be suitable for a resume.  

Write a customized cover letter that includes:

• An opening paragraph that outlines why you are interested in the position
  • Pull up the job description
  • Find the organization’s mission
  • Note what you truly like or what resonates with you 
  • Come up with a sentence or two that uses language from either or both of these and include them in your cover letter
• An introduction that includes where you have been and where you are going. 
• Highlight how your skills and experiences make you a strong candidate
  • Review the job description and pull out the main thematic skills
  • Address how your skills connect with those

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Step 6: Complete Applications

Even though you most likely just uploaded your resume, complete all sections of the application accurately and thoroughly. You can copy and paste to save time. Double-check your information for accuracy before submitting.  

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Parting Thoughts

Whew! I’m not going to lie, it will take time to apply strategically. You won’t simply click “apply” and attach a resume.

In the long run, applying strategically not only saves you time and energy but also increases your chances of success. Instead of feeling disheartened by the lack of responses, focus on making each application count. 

By investing in quality over quantity, you’ll not only boost your chances of landing interviews but also preserve your confidence and motivation throughout the job search process.

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Resources

See my Related Blog Posts

• Step One: Define Your Path
• Step Three: Crafting Your Resume
• Step Six: Finding Job Openings