If you\u2019re anything like most graduates your tactic for job applications will probably involve applying for everything that has graduate in the title and happens to be in the right location. This method of blanket applying can feel like the right way to ensure you gain employment as soon as possible, but you might be shooting yourself in the foot.<\/p>\n
But won\u2019t blanket applying maximise my chances of getting a job? Five great applications will almost definitely see you go further than 50 careless ones. The problem is it\u2019s an inhuman feat to dedicate the required time and brain power to so many applications.<\/p>\n In application forms you need to show evidence of why you\u2019re interested in a particular career\/role\/industry. You need to demonstrate your knowledge of the sector. At interview you need to demonstrate all this again but in greater detail. Chances are you can\u2019t do this well enough when applying in such mass.<\/p>\n Another issue is how to keep track of all your applications. It\u2019s likely that if the hiring manager\/recruitment agent liked your CV they\u2019ll give you a call. When they call they\u2019ll introduce themselves with their name and organisation, from that they\u2019ll expect you to know what position they\u2019re talking about. The correct response is something along the lines of \u2018Oh yes, I\u2019ve been looking forward to your call\u2019 not \u2018ummm could you just remind me what position that was again?\u2019. If you\u2019re waiting for a response from literally hundreds of applications you\u2019re probably not going to have the faintest idea of whose calling.<\/p>\n The advantages of selective applying Show off your dedication Build great industry knowledge Tailor your CV and develop spot on answers to interview and application questions Get more from recruitment agents We don\u2019t mean this as an absolute. Don\u2019t cut yourself off from interesting opportunities, if you see something that excites you then go for it, but do remember that it pays to specialise.<\/p>\n And finally a shameless plug\u2026<\/p>\n Rachael Smith works for Graduate Rescue, a social enterprise for students and graduates. If your keen on specialisation but just don\u2019t know what career is right for you, we can help. We\u2019ve got a great career matching and advice package from the UK\u2019s leading provider of career software. Not only will it match your interests and skills to job titles it also provides great industry insight.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>The short answer is no and the phrase \u2018quality not quantity\u2019 aptly sums up why.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>What do we mean by being selective? Well, in basic terms we just mean being careful about what jobs you\u2019re applying for \u2013 thinking about each application carefully and applying because you really think it\u2019s right for you not just because it has the word \u2018graduate\u2019 in the job description. However if you can go one step further and decide on a specific career\/industry your going to give yourself the opportunity to really stand out.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Hiring staff is expensive, and entry level candidates need a lot of training. So when an employer is looking at candidates they\u2019re also thinking about staff retention. The last thing they want is to hire you, train you up and then lose you. If you can demonstrate to an employer that you\u2019re dedicated to following a certain career path; you\u2019ve done your research, you know what the job entails and you\u2019re sure it\u2019s what you want to do, then you\u2019re going to stand yourself in much better stead.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Commercial awareness is a hot topic right now, employers say that their graduate candidates just don\u2019t have it. The UCAS glossary of competencies defines commercial awareness as: \u2018understanding the economics of the business and understanding the business benefits and commercial realities from both the organisation\u2019s and the customer\u2019s perspectives.\u2019 By choosing a specific industry you can concentrate on developing your commercial awareness for that sector.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Everyone knows you should tailor your CV to each application, but it\u2019s difficult and time consuming. Applying for similar positions means you can fit your CV to that position and just tweak it slightly for different applications. As you go along you can also develop more thoughtful answers to common questions and monitor what works and what doesn\u2019t.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Recruitment agents are busy people, they like it when candidates know what they\u2019re looking for. Of course it make their job easier but it also assures them that you\u2019re committed \u2013 not only are they more likely to put you forward for positions but they can also give you more specific help with your applications.<\/p>\n