Americans are applying to jobs left and right in an unpredictable economy. But how many job applications does it take to land a job? The answer depends on how the job market is doing at the time and the industry you are applying to land the job.

It can take about 100 t0 200 job applications to secure a single job offer. If you want to get an interview, you should send at least 27 job applications. Why? There is an average of at least six candidates interviewed per job vacancy, which means as an individual you should do approximately 162 applications to land a job. If you are looking for a good paying job, you can expect to do around 230 – 300 job applications.

It can be overwhelming to think about the number of hours it takes to do all those job applications and successfully land good paying job interviews. In the end, you should do 5 to 10 job applications you really want to do per week. This rule of thumb is especially true if you are currently employed. When unemployed and actively seeking work, do at least 25 job applications per week.

For many Americans, it takes 10-15 interviews to receive a job offer. Focus on the following to land a job:

Match your work experience to the job requirements

You have a higher chance of getting noticed and doing fewer job applications when you focus on your qualifications and work experience on your job resume. Remember, highly sought-after roles and job industries will attract more job applicants. To stand out, send more job applications to similar job roles where you meet the requirements.

Have a good resume and cover letter

When your resume is well-crafted, you can expect job interviews. To create a good job resume, make sure it is error-free. Hire a resume proofreader and Search Engine Optimization ( SEO) expert to help you optimize for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). As for writing a good cover letter, focus on content that explains why you want the job and what you bring to the table.

Do more than entry-level job applications

Often job seekers apply to entry-level positions, which see higher volume of job applicants than specialized or senior roles. Take a chance on roles that are above your most recent job role and/or salary to increase your likelihood of hearing back for job interviews.

Need resume or cover letter services? Connect with Briana Booker on Linkedin to request help or network.