Lately, I’ve been thinking about getting a blog started, and even more so about what should be my first post. It finally came to me when yet another friend asked to me for advice on job hunting within the tech industry. As I was going on my almost memorized rant it clicked. This is it. This is my first post. If anything, so I can stop repeating myself.

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So you’re early in your career and looking for your next gig as a mid- or entry-level professional. Some of the things I hear way too often are relying solely on referrals, only applying to the “dream job”, or even more common, calling it quits after sending out a mere handful of resumes. While yes, I agree you should be critical of your next role, that does not need to occur right at the application phase. Personally, I like to look at what is in my control, and what is in my control is how many applications I put out there. I cannot control what percentage of those turn into phone screens, interviews, onsites, offers, or rejections. But by playing the sheer numbers game as I like to call it, you increase the probability of all of those outcomes.

This then starts a snowball effect. By increasing the number of phone screens, interviews, onsites, and offers you also in turn get better at interviewing, which is a skill in itself. The more phone screens you do, the better your story will be rehearsed. Especially, if these interviews are ones where there may not be a lot pressure because they are not for the “dream job”. This way when the “dream job” does come along, you are already well-versed, practiced, and ready to kill it.

Not only can the numbers game help you be more prepared for that “dream job” interview, it also can give you a competitive advantage. By applying to more jobs, you increase the probability that a small portion of those applications will become offers. This is great if your “dream job” is taking their sweet time processing you through the interview pipeline. You can now use this job offer to brush up on your negotiating skills and speed up the interview process for your “dream job”. By letting your “dream job” know you have a competing offer on the table, you validate that you are a valuable asset on the market, speed up the interview process, and have the opportunity to have multiple competing offers, which is where you can get your “dream salary” for your “dream job”.

At this point, you may be asking, so I’m ready to play this numbers game but practically speaking, what does this actually involve?

I recommend setting up a spreadsheet, like this one, that tracks company, job title, location, date applied, and status. This way I can keep track of where I have applied and what roles I have applied for.

You need to apply to jobs, as if it is your job to do so.

Use the passion, organization, time management, etc. you would apply at your day job and do the same here. Too many times, I hear peers say they go above and beyond in every aspect of their occupation, but when it comes to applying for a new job, all of this goes out the window. After a frustrated afternoon of applying to a handful of jobs, they’re already complaining and calling it quits. No one said it was easy, but if you’re willing to put in the effort and time, doors will open.

So start playing the numbers game and land that “dream job”. Take the first step by filling out that spreadsheet I’ve linked to above, and let me know if there are any topics I can dive deeper into to help you along the way.