Applying for 20 jobs a day. How is that possible?
I remember watching BBC News and an article about the young unemployed, and this girl who was saying she was applying for 20 jobs a day. Now it should occur to most people that this is an exaggeration and the story was used to overblow the employment situation as usual; if you apply for 20 jobs a day you're applying for 100 jobs in a 5 day week, which is simply ridiculous, so I don't understand these people saying that they're doing this. How can you possibly send out quality applications at that rate and expect to receive a job, let alone be able to tailor covering letters and CVs to different companies/employers? Second, I highly doubt that you would be able to find 20 different jobs that you're completely qualified for.
Of course maybe I'm making too much out of this and people say this more figuratively than realistically but it seems to me that either some people are lying, or producing endless poor applications for jobs, which is just as bad.
Of course maybe I'm making too much out of this and people say this more figuratively than realistically but it seems to me that either some people are lying, or producing endless poor applications for jobs, which is just as bad.
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Original post by Sirocco11
I remember watching BBC News and an article about the young unemployed, and this girl who was saying she was applying for 20 jobs a day. Now it should occur to most people that this is an exaggeration and the story was used to overblow the employment situation as usual; if you apply for 20 jobs a day you're applying for 100 jobs in a 5 day week, which is simply ridiculous, so I don't understand these people saying that they're doing this. How can you possibly send out quality applications at that rate and expect to receive a job, let alone be able to tailor covering letters and CVs to different companies/employers? Second, I highly doubt that you would be able to find 20 different jobs that you're completely qualified for.
Of course maybe I'm making too much out of this and people say this more figuratively than realistically but it seems to me that either some people are lying, or producing endless poor applications for jobs, which is just as bad.
Of course maybe I'm making too much out of this and people say this more figuratively than realistically but it seems to me that either some people are lying, or producing endless poor applications for jobs, which is just as bad.
Tailor a CV to a specific type of job; similarly style a template cover letter for this type. Go to gumtree, send; go to every other recruitment agency and send to every job not listed on gumtree. Done.
When you're applying for something like bar work, it's very easy to use the exact same CV and same cover letter. If you're applying for a range of jobs, just premake different CVs and cover letters and send the one which is most appropriate.
20 a day could be 30 minutes per application form, which is more often than not enough.
Barely any jobs want CVs these days, it's normally a form. Even if it is a CV generally you just use the same one, the cover letter is the trickiest part.
Barely any jobs want CVs these days, it's normally a form. Even if it is a CV generally you just use the same one, the cover letter is the trickiest part.
I would say that is is physically possible if the jobs are there - if you have nothing else to do then you could quite easily apply for 20 jobs in a day. Taking 12 hours for sleep, food, toilet breaks etc. would leave the other 12 hours to apply for 20 jobs. This would work out at over 1.5 hours tailoring your C.V. and covering letter to each job (or filling in each job's application form), which I think is doable. Some of these jobs may have required online applications (so no travel time) or may have had to be posted off to a head office (post box may be just down the road). Others may have been local. Some may have only had a shorter application form and specified they wanted that only, meaning more time can be spent travelling to hand in another etc.
As for matching jobs you are completely qualified for, I think the point was that they were applying for positions they were overqualified for because they are so desperate for a job.
As for matching jobs you are completely qualified for, I think the point was that they were applying for positions they were overqualified for because they are so desperate for a job.
Open Word: Make CV
Click Print : 20 copies
Go 20 Businesses
Hand over to manager
thank you
Bye.
Click Print : 20 copies
Go 20 Businesses
Hand over to manager
thank you
Bye.
Original post by Hylean
Tailor a CV to a specific type of job; similarly style a template cover letter for this type. Go to gumtree, send; go to every other recruitment agency and send to every job not listed on gumtree. Done.
When you're applying for something like bar work, it's very easy to use the exact same CV and same cover letter. If you're applying for a range of jobs, just premake different CVs and cover letters and send the one which is most appropriate.
When you're applying for something like bar work, it's very easy to use the exact same CV and same cover letter. If you're applying for a range of jobs, just premake different CVs and cover letters and send the one which is most appropriate.
Well true, but would someone do that every day? Which is what these people appear to be saying. Once you do that through recruitment websites also and everything has been sent I doubt you would do it again the next day.
But it's also not just the physical ability to do that, but moreover the idea that it's the best approach to acquiring a job. Personally I prefer to craft fewer applications but make sure they're strong and very carefully tailored.
Original post by Mr Dangermouse
20 a day could be 30 minutes per application form, which is more often than not enough.
Barely any jobs want CVs these days, it's normally a form. Even if it is a CV generally you just use the same one, the cover letter is the trickiest part.
Barely any jobs want CVs these days, it's normally a form. Even if it is a CV generally you just use the same one, the cover letter is the trickiest part.
Some of the application forms for graduate jobs are very long and detailed though. I remember applying for a law firm placement and there were about 5-7 sections of 300 word detailed answers which required thought and research. I remember filling out a PT job for Debenhams about 2 weeks ago and that went on for ages. Was at least 10 sections and took over half an hour so I don't think application are always that short to fill in time wise.
Original post by Sirocco11
Some of the application forms for graduate jobs are very long and detailed though. I remember applying for a law firm placement and there were about 5-7 sections of 300 word detailed answers which required thought and research. I remember filling out a PT job for Debenhams about 2 weeks ago and that went on for ages. Was at least 10 sections and took over half an hour so I don't think application are always that short to fill in time wise.
True, but did she specify what kind of jobs she was applying for? No. If you stick to the internet and do it like I said, it's easy to turn out a **** tonne of applications a day.
In fairness I spent 2 weeks over which I applied for 10 jobs every day. It's not the same amount, obviously, but if you treat jobhunting like a job in itself - sitting at a desk 9 - 5, quick coffee every 3 hours, lunch hour, working solidly, no Facebook - it's perfectly possible.
Also in terms of tailoring I really think it's easier than you're making it out to be. E.g.
Dear [research person's name]
Please find enclosed my CV in respect of the vacancy for a [job title] as advertised on/in [publication or website].
As you will see from my attached CV, I have a great deal of experience/interest in the [what you do] industry. I have... (enclose details of previous job responsibilities and go on a bit).
I was particularly drawn to apply to your firm due to your excellent global/national/local reputation and [something from their website they pride themselves on]. The esteem in which your [another aspect] is held in by the rest of the [x] industry illustrates to me your commitment and interest towards developing and supporting staff, which has encouraged me to look towards you as a firm with whom I would enjoy building my career. I was also particularly interested in your recent involvement in [something off their 'news' bit on their website].
I hope I have illustrated my interest and drive to further my career in the [X] industry and more particularly with yourselves. I would relish the opportunity to expand upon this at interview.
Yours sincerely
Joe Bloggs
enc. *
You can put together a really tailored letter if you're prepared to use a template...
*this is obviously not amazing, I'm just giving an example
Also in terms of tailoring I really think it's easier than you're making it out to be. E.g.
Dear [research person's name]
Please find enclosed my CV in respect of the vacancy for a [job title] as advertised on/in [publication or website].
As you will see from my attached CV, I have a great deal of experience/interest in the [what you do] industry. I have... (enclose details of previous job responsibilities and go on a bit).
I was particularly drawn to apply to your firm due to your excellent global/national/local reputation and [something from their website they pride themselves on]. The esteem in which your [another aspect] is held in by the rest of the [x] industry illustrates to me your commitment and interest towards developing and supporting staff, which has encouraged me to look towards you as a firm with whom I would enjoy building my career. I was also particularly interested in your recent involvement in [something off their 'news' bit on their website].
I hope I have illustrated my interest and drive to further my career in the [X] industry and more particularly with yourselves. I would relish the opportunity to expand upon this at interview.
Yours sincerely
Joe Bloggs
enc. *
You can put together a really tailored letter if you're prepared to use a template...
*this is obviously not amazing, I'm just giving an example
(edited 12 years ago)
Original post by Bill_Gates
Open Word: Make CV
Click Print : 20 copies
Go 20 Businesses
Hand over to manager
thank you
Bye.
Click Print : 20 copies
Go 20 Businesses
Hand over to manager
thank you
Bye.
Most managers will just tell you GTFO. If they are not recruiting the last thing they want to be bothered by is some loser handing in their CV, it will just go straight in the bin. If they have got vacancies then they will refer you to the appropriate recruitment process.
Original post by Sirocco11
Well true, but would someone do that every day? Which is what these people appear to be saying. Once you do that through recruitment websites also and everything has been sent I doubt you would do it again the next day.
But it's also not just the physical ability to do that, but moreover the idea that it's the best approach to acquiring a job. Personally I prefer to craft fewer applications but make sure they're strong and very carefully tailored.
But it's also not just the physical ability to do that, but moreover the idea that it's the best approach to acquiring a job. Personally I prefer to craft fewer applications but make sure they're strong and very carefully tailored.
The reason some people do it that way is because they are life's martyrs they want to go on about how hard the jobseeking climate is (because nobody else is aware of that fact) and apply for hundreds of jobs so they can say "I applied for my 500th job and still got rejected".
It's kind of like if you are single, you could approach 20 girls a day easily. Register for a dating website, send off a standard template to all the girls in your area like "hey babe. ur fit lol. Fancy a chat? xx". Or you could go in the high street and tap random girls on the shoulder saying "hey you're so fit babes, fancy goin for a coffee?". Then you could tell everyone how hard it is to find women in this current climate, despite you trying for over 20 girls a day.
Original post by MagicNMedicine
Most managers will just tell you GTFO. If they are not recruiting the last thing they want to be bothered by is some loser handing in their CV, it will just go straight in the bin. If they have got vacancies then they will refer you to the appropriate recruitment process.
Its still an application?
Original post by MagicNMedicine
Most managers will just tell you GTFO. If they are not recruiting the last thing they want to be bothered by is some loser handing in their CV, it will just go straight in the bin. If they have got vacancies then they will refer you to the appropriate recruitment process.
Rubbish. It depends on what sort of business, but in some cases, this can get you a job. (Well, an interview at least).
My missus is the manager at a well-known high street coffee store. When the existing assistant manager left, they decided to recruit a new starter who wanted to progress. They didn't advertise the job, they just took the stack of CVs that had been handed in over the last three months and interviewed the best 10 or so.
Companies do keep CVs on file when they have a new position available and it doesn't take much for your CV to be in that file.
And in response to the original question, if applying to jobs through online jobsites, you can do 20 applications in a few minutes.
Original post by MagicNMedicine
It's kind of like if you are single, you could approach 20 girls a day easily. Register for a dating website, send off a standard template to all the girls in your area like "hey babe. ur fit lol. Fancy a chat? xx". Or you could go in the high street and tap random girls on the shoulder saying "hey you're so fit babes, fancy goin for a coffee?". Then you could tell everyone how hard it is to find women in this current climate, despite you trying for over 20 girls a day.
Sorry but that's a total straw man argument.
'Hey ur so fit babes' is the chatting up equivalent of a misspelled CV which lists the candidate's interests as 'socialising' and is written in running-out biro.
However, if you were to sit in a coffee shop looking lovely, occasionally speaking to a girl on her own and asking 'I see you're reading One Day/Captain Corelli's Mandolin/The Reader/some other popular girl book, I've just finished it - can I ask what you think of it?' then you might have better success. Besides, the ones who then turn you down would be likely be in relationships (i.e. the equivalent of applying for a job at a firm with no vacancies
)Of course this would be quite calculating, not the greatest basis for falling in love, but arguably the best basis for getting a job.... You might not speak to exactly 20 girls this way, but it's certainly 'proactive'.
I know you're male but I do need to point out that love and work aren't the same thing
(edited 12 years ago)
Original post by Sirocco11
I remember watching BBC News and an article about the young unemployed, and this girl who was saying she was applying for 20 jobs a day. Now it should occur to most people that this is an exaggeration and the story was used to overblow the employment situation as usual; if you apply for 20 jobs a day you're applying for 100 jobs in a 5 day week, which is simply ridiculous, so I don't understand these people saying that they're doing this. How can you possibly send out quality applications at that rate and expect to receive a job, let alone be able to tailor covering letters and CVs to different companies/employers? Second, I highly doubt that you would be able to find 20 different jobs that you're completely qualified for.
Of course maybe I'm making too much out of this and people say this more figuratively than realistically but it seems to me that either some people are lying, or producing endless poor applications for jobs, which is just as bad.
Of course maybe I'm making too much out of this and people say this more figuratively than realistically but it seems to me that either some people are lying, or producing endless poor applications for jobs, which is just as bad.
You don't.
at first when i started my job hunt, i'd apply for no less than 30 per day, since cutting down the volume to 5 per day and putting effort and care, i'm seeing more results, got 2 interviews lined up next week
There are jobs at the Job Center if you know what I mean.
Original post by Sirocco11
Some of the application forms for graduate jobs are very long and detailed though. I remember applying for a law firm placement and there were about 5-7 sections of 300 word detailed answers which required thought and research. I remember filling out a PT job for Debenhams about 2 weeks ago and that went on for ages. Was at least 10 sections and took over half an hour so I don't think application are always that short to fill in time wise.
I doubt she would have been applying for grad schemes, I seem to remember she was a school leaver. She was probably emailing her cv to employers advertising online. That takes less than a minute so it is absolutely possible.
It is possible.
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