Bad job market = Apply for more jobs

Bad job market = Apply for more jobs.

Right?

WRONG! Apply for LESS!!

Only apply for the jobs you ACTUALLY want.

Here's why:

In a market where you won't get most jobs, every hour on the wrong application is an hour you could have spent on the right one.

This morning my client was about to waste 15 hours applying for a "pretty good" job.

My one question made her realize:

She was about to spend her weekend writing an application for a job she didn't actually want.

Even if she got it, she'd likely turn it down.

Or worse, take it and regret it.

She decided not to apply.

This is what most people miss:

The brutal market makes you feel like you can't afford to be picky.

But if you're already getting rejected, wasting time on jobs you don't want just means more rejections.

So here's the job hunting playbook:

Before you apply to another job, define 3 non-negotiables.

Then only apply when all 3 are there.

You'll apply to fewer jobs.

But when you do apply?

→ Your application will be better because you actually want it.

→ You'll interview better because your enthusiasm is real.

→ Your hit rate goes up because companies can tell the difference.

Turns out in a bad market, being picky isn't a luxury.

It's the only thing that works.