How to Decide Which Jobs to Apply For

How to Decide Which Jobs to Apply ForHow to Decide Which Jobs to Apply For74Why You Shouldnt Apply for Every JobApplying for every job you come across is not necessarily the right way to increase your job search success. By spending time applying for every job, you miss the opportunity to spend quality time applying for the jobs you might actually have a great chance of landing. While at one time HR departments might have been able to go through resumes at leisure, they are now faced with daunting stacks of resumes and tight schedules. By applying to jobs you arent a close match for, you are guaranteeing your resumes submission into the trash rather than consideration for another open job. Thats why its really important to be selective in deciding which jobs to apply for.Narrowing Your SearchHaving a job search plan and a targeted search can help in not only deciding how you will job search and which keywords to use, but where you will search and when you will apply. Once you narrow your search to your target areas, you can then begin to pick apart the job descriptions to decide if the position is one of the jobs to apply for.Criteria to ConsiderQualifications Are you qualified for the job or at least meet the minimum required qualifications?The Company Is this a company you can imagine yourself working for? Do you support and believe in its mission?Job Duties Can you read through the job duties and feel confident that you understand what is expected and that you can perform them successfully?Benefits/Flexibility Does the company, or specific position, offer the benefits and flexibility you are looking for?Location Is the job located in a radius that you are willing to drive every day? Or, are you willing to relocate?Long-Term Can you see yourself working for the company in that position on a long-term basis (more than a few months)?While it may feel irresponsible or wasteful to pass over a perfectly good job, it is better to target your search than apply for e verything you come across. By choosing only the best jobs to apply for, and using your time to specifically apply for jobs that are a fit, you can spend more time creating quality and customized documents to get you noticed and scheduled for an interview.