Targeted outreach has its challenges, too. It requires time and bravery, and it can be disheartening when you don’t receive responses. If you’ve ever said that or yelled it into your pillow after hitting ‘submit’ for the hundredth time, you’re definitely not the only one. Every year, tons of engineering graduates enter the job market full of potential, but often face a frustrating silence.
In this article, you’ll discover:
✅ The advantages and disadvantages of mass applications compared to targeted outreach
✅ How to develop a job search strategy that really gets results
✅ Real-life stories of engineering graduates who made it happen
✅ Practical steps you can take right now to transform silence into interview opportunities
Section 1: Understanding the Two Approaches
🔁 Mass Applications (The Broad Approach)
The process of submitting your resume to numerous companies typically through online platforms or LinkedIn’s Easy Apply feature.
Pros:
- Quick to implement
- Enhanced visibility in terms of volume
- Potentially beneficial for large corporations engaging in mass recruitment
Cons:
- Diminished response rates (particularly in the absence of personalisation)
- result in being overlooked amidst the overwhelming volume of applications
- frequently excluded by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)
🎯 Targeted Outreach (The Precision Strike)
The process involves pinpointing particular companies and individuals, followed by contacting them with a customized message that highlights your suitability.
Pros:
- Increased likelihood of receiving a human response
- showcasing initiative and effective communication skills
- making it ideal for startups, specialised positions, or referrals
Cons:
- Demanding in terms of time and effort
- emotionally challenging due to the impact of rejections or lack of response,
- Necessitates proficiency in research and networking
Section 2: The Effective Strategy for 2025 — The Hybrid Model
Depending on a single approach is like constructing a bridge with only one support beam—it just won’t be stable.
🔹 Step 1: Define Your Ideal Role
Rather than spreading yourself thin, concentrate your efforts on specific areas.
- Which technology stack excites you the most?
- What type of teams inspire you?
- What challenges are you eager to tackle?
🔹 Step 2: Set a 70/30 Split
- Focus 70% of your energy on personalised outreach
- 30% on applying to numerous entry-level positions
This guarantees that you are investing quality effort while still expanding your reach.
🔹 Step 3: Make Outreach Personal and Specific
- Mention a recent initiative the company undertook
- Praise a particular aspect of their efforts
- Explain how your experience resonates with their goals
🔹 Step 4: Mass Apply Smartly
- Utilize platforms such as Huntr or Teal to monitor your submissions
- personalise at least the top 20% of your applications
- Reach out to a recruiter or engineer on LinkedIn whenever you can
Section 3: The Takeaway
- Searching for a job isn’t merely about the quantity of applications—it’s about having a smart strategy
- While mass applications provide broad exposure
- focused outreach helps you gain momentum.
- Combine the two, and you’ll be unstoppable!
