🚀How to Nail Your Job Search

Yes… and no. Yes, because those platforms still gather a lot of job postings, and some recruiters genuinely use them.
No, because sending your CV there without more effort is like throwing a bottle into the sea: just one drop in an ocean of applications.
The trick? Combine active and passive applications.
Active applications: target roles that really matter to you, call to confirm a posting, and send your CV directly to the source.
Passive applications: optimize your profile, weave in the right keywords for the roles you’re after, and let your CV work for you.
Ask friends for feedback, and update it regularly: even a tiny tweak can push you back to the top of the pile.
The secret? Never do one without the other. Result: less stress, more chances… and real control over your job search.

In theory, fewer but targeted is better. In practice, when the situation gets urgent, you sometimes need to apply in bulk.
It depends on where you are in your career and the state of your industry’s job market.
About twelve years ago, I was leaving a toxic job, and staying meant risking my health. I sent out 75 applications in three months for executive assistant roles. The result: twenty responses, shortlisted for three final rounds, and finally landing the job that let me close that chapter.
Later, once I built up expertise, I no longer had to apply so widely. Now recruiters come to me.

If you wait to tick every box, you’ll never apply. Job ads often read like Christmas wish lists, and nobody expects you to have it all.
What really counts are your key skills, your ability to learn quickly, and your attitude. If you meet about 70% of the requirements, apply—despite your doubts—and highlight the skills that matter most to the recruiter.
Often, daring to try in spite of uncertainty makes all the difference—that’s how you turn a simple CV into a real opportunity.

Check the posting date (something up for three months with no update = suspicious). Verify if it’s also on the company’s official website. And ask yourself: does the description sound concrete, or like pure marketing fluff?
If you’re still unsure, apply if you want to… but don’t pour all your energy into it.
Want to learn more about avoiding the traps of job hunting and regaining control of your career? See this practical article: Outsmart the Traps of Job Hunting.

Not for every job (you’re not an AI on stimulants). But by job type, yes.
Having two or three versions ready—say, one focused on project management, another on communication—saves time and helps you match the right keywords without rewriting everything each time.
Keywords are crucial: they make sure your CV gets picked up by automated systems before a human ever sees it.

Absolutely. But 24 hours later, you’ll look like a stalker. And not three weeks later, that’s far too late.
The sweet spot: 7 to 10 days after sending an application, or 3 to 4 days after an interview with no news.
Do it politely, briefly, no long novels. Keep it simple and elegant: remind them you’re here and motivated, not desperate. Show you matter—without ever begging.

Tricky question. Yes, taking a “survival job” can be necessary if money is tight—you need to eat and pay rent.
But be aware of the trade-offs: a role beneath your skill set often means stepping back, and sometimes restarting from scratch to get back on track. The real trap is getting stuck for years in a job that doesn’t move you forward.
If you do take Plan B, keep working actively on Plan A.
If your finances allow, stay engaged in other ways: a volunteer project, freelancing, or a big personal or professional project.

Take heart—you’re not alone. Silence is often the norm and says nothing about your worth.
The job market can be chaotic, but it’s also a chance to test, tweak, and improve.
Look at your profile objectively: are you overqualified, underqualified, or is it just presentation? Test one variable at a time—CV, keywords, application quality, search channels—and adjust your approach.
If the path feels too long, get support: a coach or career advisor can help unlock opportunities and turn frustration into action. Every adjustment brings you closer to the role that truly fits.