Why Casting a Wide Net Isn’t Helping You Get Hired

Job seekers are navigating one of the most brutal job markets in recent memory. Hundreds of applications sent; silence in return. Maybe a rejection here and there, but mostly just ghosting. 

It’s clear the system is broken.
But what’s worse is that no one is showing candidates how to approach things differently. And so, after months of being ghosted for the roles they really wanted, candidates start expanding their focus -- and in some cases lowering their bar. They begin applying to anything that feels even loosely connected to their background.

At first glance, this might seem practical; even smart. Broader scope means better odds, right? Actually, no. 

Specialists get hired. Generalists get ghosted. 

In this job market, hiring managers are being extremely specific about what they want. They are looking for candidates who clearly align with the role. When you position yourself as open to everything, you end up standing out for nothing. As counterintuitive as it seems, targeting more role types can dramatically decrease your chances of landing a job. Why?

1. Your pitch becomes diluted.
   Telling a compelling story is one of the most important parts of the process. But you cannot tell a strong story around five different job types at once. It weakens your message, and makes it harder for anyone to remember you.
2. You appear unfocused or desperate.
   If you’re applying to a bunch of different roles at the same company, stop immediately. Most recruiters and hiring managers can see every position you’ve applied to. It makes a hiring manager think: “This person doesn’t actually want this role. They just want any role.” That’s not a compelling case to move forward.
3. You lose valuable time being inefficient.
   When you’re chasing five different job types, you’re constantly rewriting resumes, reworking cover letters, and prepping for interviews in completely different areas. The quality of your materials often suffers, and the whole process takes longer.

On the other hand, when you focus on a narrow set of roles, everything starts to work together and your prep becomes transferrable to all of the roles you're applying for. Every application gets sharper. Every rejection gives you useful data to improve. You build momentum and learn to stand out. 

So what should you do?

Narrow your focus to no more than two job titles—ideally one. Then make yourself the strongest possible candidate for that role. This focus gets even more powerful when you start narrowing by company size, industry, or business model. Every layer of clarity improves your story, sharpens your strategy, and increases your odds of landing something real.

As counterintuitive as it may seem, especially in an economy like this, narrowing your focus is how you get results.Trying to be a fit for everything will only keep you stuck.