Applying for jobs en masse involves submitting your application to a large number of job offers in a relatively short period. Is it a good idea to submit applications en masse at a time when people are talking about the compelling need to personalise a CV and cover letter? After sending out more than 50 CVs in just three weeks, Sabina, now a communication & marketing manager, tells us about her experience.

“I applied for jobs en masse so I could quickly leave a job I wasn’t happy in”

It was the first time Sabina had sent out more than 50 CVs in such a short period. A decision that was motivated by the urgent need to get out of a difficult situation, as it is for many people. Finding a job quickly to pay the bills, bouncing back from the end of unemployment benefit entitlement, etc. for our communication & marketing manager, it was the need to escape from a company in which she didn’t feel at home that prompted her to take action.

“After an initial experience on a permanent contract, I joined a well-known marketing agency. Once in post, I soon realised that the working atmosphere and the mindset of the company didn’t suit me. So I knew I wouldn’t be able to stay with the agency for a year. I wanted to leave before the end of my trial period. To give myself the best possible chance, I decided to broaden my search by applying for jobs as a Communication & Marketing Manager and for more junior positions such as Marketing Officer or Communications Officer.”

“It became part of my morning routine while I drank my coffee”

With her long working hours, it was impossible for Sabina to spend time personalising her applications. After all, to do so requires you to venture further than the job advert, by visiting the company’s career site and social networks to learn more about the company culture, its values, its HR benefits and its commitments. This is followed by customising your CV and cover letter. Therefore, Sabina had to apply a research method adapted to her constraints.

“Every morning between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m., I sent out CVs via LinkedIn while I drank my coffee. Due to a lack of time, I only responded to job adverts offering simplified applications, i.e. job adverts that didn’t require a cover letter. I configured my search on LinkedIn using my criteria and as soon as I came across a job advert that was a match for me, I applied, making sure to change the title of my CV to reflect the title of the job advertised.” This is a decision many candidates are taking, since according to a survey, 20% consider that having to write a cover letter is an obstacle to applying for a job.

At the same time, Sabina used her network: “I was transparent in explaining my situation. My contacts helped me get my CV into their companies and passed it on to their networks.”

“I found a job, yes, but...”

For Sabina, applying en masse paid off, as she landed a permanent position as a communication & marketing manager. Nevertheless, she adds that her job search put her self-confidence to the test: “after submitting more than 50 CVs, I only had four job interviews and the rest of my applications went unanswered. Inevitably, I began to question my abilities and ambitions. It’s a real blow to the morale.”  She is not the only one to share this view. Candidates regularly report that it's an experience that affects their self-esteem.

At the end of the day, submitting CVs by the hundreds seems more of a necessity than a choice. “Today, considering my experience and my situation, it’s clear that I’ll do things differently in the future. In my next job search, I’m going to take the time to select jobs and companies that match both my needs and my skills. I’ll focus on quality rather than quantity,” Sabina admits, aware that she can now afford to do so.

So we could ask ourselves: is applying en masse a technique that only young graduates and junior profiles use and have to use to get a job? It remains to be seen, given the wide range of motivations.

For example, in sectors and professions where there is a shortage of talent, the balance of power between companies and candidates with little or no experience is in favour of the latter. Because competition is low, they can afford to submit just ten or so applications to their preferred companies. However, personal and financial circumstances also influence the decision of whether or not to apply en masse.

In conclusion

Sending out more than 50 CVs in a month may be a good idea to achieve your goal, but it’s a strategy that often takes its toll on your emotions and self-confidence. Whatever your reason for applying en masse, bear in mind that it's important to use the keywords specific to the job you are looking for and that appear in the advert, in order to pass the first CV filter of the ATS (recruitment software).

Lastly, to stay ahead of the game and receive job offers in tech, finance, engineering, sales, etc. and companies that are recruiting, create your Wiggli account in just a few clicks!