How Many Jobs Should You Apply to Per Week?

A job seeker applies for jobs online from home. Many experts suggest focusing on a manageable number of quality applications rather than mass submissions. With unemployment around 4% in the US, UK and Australia (and about 6.6% in Canada), competition for each opening is fierce. Indeed’s career guide recommends about 10–15 applications per week (roughly 2–3 per weekday). Tech-focused advisers add that those applying to 20 or more jobs weekly often land interviews faster. However, career coach Mary Southern cautions that blind volume is a trap – “Volume-based job hunting is not just ineffective — it’s exhausting, demoralizing, and outdated”. In other words, more applications won’t help if you can’t make each one count.

Current Job Market Insights

Recent data show the market has cooled compared to the post-pandemic boom. Indeed’s Job Postings Index in the US is down ~22% from its 2021 high, and research finds interview-conversion rates have fallen sharply (one study reports only 8–12% of applications now yield interviews). LinkedIn reports 37% of global job seekers are “applying to more jobs than ever but hearing back less”. Still, opportunities remain – for example, U.S. employers added 353,000 jobs in Jan 2024.

In Tier-1 markets, labor supply also varies. The UK and Australia still have very low unemployment (~4%) and strong demand: Australian vacancies are ~50% above pre-COVID levels. By contrast, Canada’s labor market softened (unemployment ~6.8% in late 2024) with job postings down ~9% year-over-year. Sector-wise, fields like healthcare, education and engineering remain relatively robust, whereas tech/software postings have plunged (one report notes software jobs down 51% year-over-year). In summary, competition is high, interview callbacks are rarer, and tailoring your search is more important than ever.

How Many Applications per Week?

• 10–15/week (baseline): Career guides commonly advise about 2–3 applications per weekday, or roughly 10–15 per week. This strikes a balance between keeping your pipeline active and allowing time to customize each submission.

• 20+ per week (if possible): If you can spare more time (e.g. currently unemployed), increasing to 20 or more weekly can speed up results. For example, Pathrise found that fellows who applied to ≥20 jobs each week landed interviews faster. Just be sure not to sacrifice quality.

• Entry-level: New graduates often need a larger volume, aiming for 15–20+ applications/week, since entry roles attract many candidates. Use university career services and job fairs to boost outreach.

• Employed vs. Unemployed: An unemployed job-seeker can treat the hunt like a full-time job (30–40 hours/week of searching and applying). In contrast, someone who is working full-time may only manage 5–10 applications/week (using evenings/weekends). In that case, accept a slower timeline and focus intensely on the best-fit openings.

• Real-world scale: Remember each open role is highly contested. Glassdoor data (via HiringThing) show the average posting gets ~250 resumes, with only 4–6 candidates interviewed and 1 hired. Likewise, industry reports found ~8–12% interview yields in 2024. These stats imply that even 20 applications might only generate a handful of interviews.

Volume vs. Targeted Strategy

• Volume (Spray & Pray): Applying to dozens of jobs can boost chances simply by exposure. However, many experts warn this is inefficient. Mary Southern notes that high-volume applications often “lose the energy…to tailor your message” and overwhelm your own tracking. Generic submissions are also more likely to be filtered out by Applicant Tracking Systems or flagged by recruiters as non-serious. This approach can burn you out if responses lag.

• Targeted Applications: Focusing only on jobs that closely match your skills allows for customization. You can craft resumes and cover letters to fit each role’s keywords, which boosts ATS scores and connects better with hiring managers. This strategy often yields a higher success rate per application, but fewer total attempts. If demand is low, it might feel like “casting a smaller net.”

• Hybrid Approach: Most career coaches recommend a mix. For example, Amazon recruiter Kevin Leonor suggests dedicating specific time slots to applications and networking. He advises applying early in the day (since some jobs fill rapidly) and using off-hours (evenings, midweek afternoons) for outreach. In practice, you might target 10–15 roles that are strong fits, then supplement with a few broader apps. This balances volume with intent. In short, apply enough to stay active, but always align each resume with the job.

Balancing Quality and Quantity: Expert Tips

• Tailor Every Application: Customize your resume and cover letter for each role. Include keywords from the job description and emphasize relevant achievements. Jobscan emphasizes that “10 strategic, tailored applications will likely do more good than 20 rushed ones”. Even with high volume, never skip the research and personalization that make your application stand out.

• Target the Right Roles: Aim for jobs where you meet most of the requirements. Career coach Mary Southern warns that applying to unrelated positions at the same company raises red flags. Be honest: if you only fit 30–40% of the criteria, it may be better to hold off.

• Network and Outreach: Don’t rely solely on job boards. Connect with recruiters or hiring managers on LinkedIn. Whenever possible, send a personalized message or cold email alongside your application – Pathrise data show a cold email can triple your chance of a response. Employee referrals and networking often lead to faster callbacks than blind applications.

• Time Your Search: Establish a routine. Dedicate a set number of hours per day (for example, 1–2 hours each morning) to find and submit applications. Indeed’s data suggests applying on weekdays during work hours (roughly 6am–3pm) yields higher success. Use evenings or weekends to follow up, customize resumes, or build skills.

• Track Your Progress: Keep a log (spreadsheet or app) of every application, date, and status. Indeed recommends this to stay organized. A tracker helps you follow up on stalled applications and identify patterns. Mary Southern notes that without good tracking, high-volume searches can become chaotic. If you’re not getting interviews after many submissions, the log will prompt you to adjust your strategy.

• Set Realistic Goals: Define a weekly application quota that you can sustain without burnout. It’s often better to do slightly fewer high-quality applications per week than to crank out sloppy ones. If you set a target (e.g. 15/week) but find it unmanageable, reassess your workflow or ask for help refining your resume. Conversely, if responses are abundant, you might temporarily scale back to focus on interview preparation.

• Stay Positive and Strategic: Job search can be slow. Keep a long-term perspective. If you start to feel demoralized by rejections, remember that the odds are tough: many applicants receive no responses. Celebrate small wins (like getting callbacks) and tweak your approach over time. Use rejections as feedback — for example, ask contacts if you can improve your resume for future openings.

Tailoring Your Strategy by Experience and Situation

• Entry-Level Seekers: Competition is fierce for new-graduate roles. Apply broadly (15–20+ per week) but still tailor each resume. Leverage campus career services, alumni networks, and internship experience. Attend job fairs and informational interviews to uncover hidden opportunities.

• Mid-Level Professionals: Narrow your search to positions that match your background (industries, roles, skills). Typically 10–15/week is enough, assuming you personalize each application. Emphasize career achievements and be ready to discuss why you’re a strong fit. Use your network: a referral can boost your application among the 250 others.

• Senior/Executive Candidates: High-level roles are less frequent. You may only apply to 5–10 carefully selected positions per week, focusing on those where you truly excel. At this stage, networking and executive recruiters become critical channels. Referrals and personal branding (thought leadership, LinkedIn presence) often matter more than raw application volume.

• If You’re Employed: Your time is limited. Carve out specific hours (e.g. a few weekend hours or early mornings) for your job search. You likely can’t meet the 15+/week target, and that’s OK. Focus on top opportunities and use networking heavily. Be discreet: apply outside of work hours to avoid alerting your employer.

• If You’re Unemployed: Treat the search like a job. Dedicate 30–40 hours a week to finding, tailoring, and applying. A sample day could be: morning – search and apply (8–11am), lunch break, early afternoon – networking (2–3pm), late afternoon – follow-up and planning (3–5pm). With extra time, you can even aim for 3–5 applications per day.

• Industry Considerations: Adjust volume based on your field. In industries with many openings (e.g. tech or finance in big cities), a higher volume can be sustainable. In niche fields (like certain government or nonprofit roles), fewer openings mean you should focus intensively on each lead. For example, healthcare and engineering were hiring strongly, whereas software developer jobs have decreased substantially. Align your application rate to the opportunity landscape.

• Remote vs. Local: Expanding your search to remote or other cities increases volume of possible jobs, but also increases competition. If you target local roles only, you might need more targeted networking.

In all cases, the key is balance. Many career experts suggest roughly 10–15 quality applications per week as a baseline, but adjust this number up or down based on your results. Keep applications customized, track outcomes, and refine your approach. By finding a sustainable rhythm and focusing on fit, you’ll maximize your chances of moving from “applied” to “interview.”