Define your target
Choose role families, seniority, location and working pattern before you search. A broad search creates noise and makes tailoring difficult.
If you are changing careers, choose adjacent roles where your evidence is strongest.
Create a criteria tracker
For representative vacancies, list recurring essential criteria and score your evidence. This quickly reveals whether you are ready to apply or need to strengthen a gap.
Keep examples you can reuse, but rewrite applications for each employer.
Use alerts intelligently
Job alerts are useful when filters are specific. Set separate alerts for different role families or locations rather than one enormous search.
Review alerts regularly and remove searches that produce irrelevant results.
Track applications
Record closing date, application date, documents used, interview outcome and feedback. This prevents missed deadlines and helps you identify patterns.
If you get interviews, your written applications are probably doing something right. If offers do not follow, focus on interview performance and fit.
Protect your time
High-quality applications take effort. Prioritise roles where you meet the essentials and genuinely want the work. Avoid spending hours on vacancies where several core requirements are missing.
Build reusable evidence notes to reduce drafting time without sending generic statements.
Frequently asked questions
How many jobs should I apply for each week?
There is no ideal number. A few well-targeted applications can be stronger than many generic ones.
Should I apply if I miss one desirable criterion?
Desirable criteria are not the same as essential ones. Use judgement and read the whole specification.
When should I follow up?
Follow the employer's stated process. After interview, a concise thank-you or feedback request may be appropriate depending on the organisation.
Recruitment processes vary by employer. Always follow the instructions, essential criteria and deadlines in the specific job advert you are applying for.