What are some common job search metrics that you track and why?

Don't apply randomly; apply strategically. It's never about the number of applications to be sent; it's rather about the quality. You could send 20 applications per day that were not relevant to your background and expertise. Instead, apply strategically to 1 or 2 jobs per day that fit your background.

In today's digital world of job hunting, LinkedIn search appearances are a vital metric for job seekers because they provide insight into how often their profiles are being discovered by potential employers and recruiters. It's like a digital spotlight on your professional presence. When your profile appears in relevant search results, it signifies that your skills and qualifications are catching the attention of those who matter most in your job search. It's not just about visibility; it's about relevance and being top-of-mind for potential opportunities. I like my clients to aim for at least 100 search appearances per week.

I completely agree it's important to apply strategically. I recommend using the 80-20 or even 70-30 rule: if your background matches 70-80% of the requirements or qualifications for the role, then you would likely be a great candidate. It's all about balance - it's not about applying to everything you see or only to the roles that are a 100% match.

Think of the job search process like a funnel. At the top, you apply to a targeted set of opportunities, but in the end, only a few of them turn into offers. Depending on your seniority and field, I recommend anywhere from 5 to 20 applications a week. With the metric of applications sent, I recommend you distinguish between applications with and then without referrals. This will give you a good comparison later when see your conversion rates at the later stages of the job search funnel. More data is better to help you tweak your process.

Apply with sense. This is one of the best ways to calculate your progress, by counting how many applications you sent, and then based on that count to how many interviews you were invited. Personalize your approach.

📌Attention Job Seekers! You're missing out if you're not tracking these crucial metrics: 1️⃣ App-to-Interview Rate: Your resume's first impression matters! Use this to refine it. 2️⃣ Interview-to-Offer Rate: This reveals how well you sell yourself in interviews—pivot your strategy if needed. 3️⃣ Networking Response Rate: If this is low, you may need to tweak your outreach message. Metrics don't lie. They help you make data-driven decisions, identify weak spots, and set actionable goals. Don't hunt in the dark; bring data into your job search game. 🎯

I would go a step further. Of the interviews you secure, also consider how close of a fit your interests and skills are to the role after you've interviewed. It's not only about you getting the interview, but getting an interview for a role that you are interested in pursuing.

As a common practice, you should have several questions prepared to ask in an interview. In your list of questions, you can ask for feedback in the interview. Questions like: "based on our conversation today, is there anything that concerns you about my ability to be successful in this role?" Not only will this signal that you are open to feedback, but this may give you an opportunity to honestly address any perceived gaps you may have.

The number of offers is an excellent metric. It is important to also look at the quality of the offers. The key is receiving offers that meets your expectations as noted. If the offer falls short of your expectations, is there a skill that you should highlight - be it on your resume, with the employer, or in future interviews?

It is important to dedicate some time to each element of your job search - from job seeking through company research to follow up. But the laws of diminishing returns could find you spending too much time on a job search activity that doesn't result in greater success. For instance, spending a few hours researching a target company may provide you with as much meaningful information as spending several days conducting company research.

Track the number of new connections that you have and those especially that lead to informational interview and interviews. You should always be adding new connections even when you are not looking.

Job searching feels like a quantity game, but it's all about quality. Instead of sending hundreds of applications per week, consider the quality of those applications. Two things that most job seekers don't track are the time they are spending per application and the ratio between the number of jobs they apply for and the number of interviews. You won't be interviewed for every job you apply for, but if you apply to 30 jobs you are highly qualified for and still don't get an interview. Consider if you need to make changes to your job search strategy and your resume. You want to be one of the first candidates to apply for a job whenever possible with a tailored resume. You also want to keep building your personal brand and networking.