Why Not Having a Targeted Job Search is Hurting You
When you're on the hunt for a new job, you might be tempted to cast your net far and wide in the hopes of catching as many opportunities as possible. While this approach might give you a broad array of options, it may not always be productive. Executive employment firms and career counselors strongly suggest taking a more targeted approach when searching for a new job.
You might come off as being unfocused
Recruiters relish candidates with clarity on their career goals and aspirations. In their paper, "Job Search Behavior among the Employed and Non-Employed", Steven Davis from the University of Chicago and R. Jason Faberman and John Haltiwanger from the University of Maryland argue that a generalized job search can illustrate a lack of focus and commitment to specific industries or roles1. Consequently, the lack of a targeted job search can potentially weaken your negotiating position.
It leads to unnecessary applications
By not having a selective job search, you may end up spending considerable time applying for roles that won't lead to a satisfying career. According to a study conducted by Glassdoor, job seekers, on average, apply for 27 jobs before getting a single interview. The lack of a targeted job search can potentially increase this number, thereby consuming more of your time and resources.
Decreased Success in Interviews
As career expert Richard Bolles mentions in his book "What Color Is Your Parachute? A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers", demonstrating your knowledge about the company during interviews increases your chances of landing the job3. Having a targeted job search enables you to execute meaningful research on the companies you're interested in, leading to enhanced performance during interviews.
Job satisfaction
Research by Professors Nathan Bowling and Kevin Eschleman of Wright State University and San Francisco State University, respectively, suggests that there's a strong correlation between job satisfaction and the degree of person-job fit4. A targeted job search can lead to a better match between job requirements and your personal skill set and interests, subsequently resulting in higher job satisfaction.
A calculated and disciplined targeted job search approach can save you time, make you more appealing to recruiters, increase your interview success rate, and lead you to a more fulfilling career path. Have a clear understanding of what you're looking for, and don't be afraid to be selective. It might lead you to a better job faster than you think.
Sources:
Davis, S. J., Faberman, J. R., & Haltiwanger, J. C. (2012). Job Search Behavior among the Employed and Non-Employed. National Bureau of Economic Research. ↩
Bolles, Richard. (2019). What Color is Your Parachute? A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career Changers. Ten Speed Press. ↩
Bowling, N. A. & Eschleman, K. J. (2010). Employee job fit and job satisfaction in the Netherlands. Applied Psychology International Review 59(2),279-295. ↩
