How Many Contacts and Resumes Are Enough? 10, 100, 1,000?

How many contacts and resumes are enough? That is an excellent question. Perhaps the answer is simpler and at the same time more frustrating than we would like. As success driven people, we like concrete answers with concrete solutions performed in a concrete, fixed period of time. Yet, in this case the answer is as many as it takes to win the job. So, instead of wasting time trying to measure the unquantified, job hunters need to focus in a laser-like way on driving more contacts and reaching each contact with increasing effectiveness on each subsequent effort.

What constitutes effectiveness during the job search? To begin with effectiveness is measured by reaction and response. If each revision of your cover letter increases the number and frequency of response, this is likely effective. If your new and improved LinkedIn profile creates more interest, leads to more contacts, and causes more industry involvement which you are able to turn into interviews, this constitutes increasing effectiveness. If each day you become better at ferreting out contacts who may have a position for you, you have increased your job searching effectiveness.

Our view is there are some key areas to focus on today for job search effectiveness:

1. Build and use your rolodex of contacts. This doesn't mean make social calls. This implies focusing on those individuals who can help you contact recruiting sources, hiring managers, and human resources departments to win the interview and job you are pursuing. Each call should seek first to lead directly to the individual contacts outline, but if these aren't available seek a contact with whom they have credibility who can provide real leads for you.
2. Improve and strengthen you resume and cover letter to compelling make your case as the candidate of choice.
3. Work on your phone call plan and interview plan converting these calls from contacts with a potential job source to interplay between professionals leading and uncovering the career path and job you are seeking.
4. Look at ways and means to increase your credibility among your peers and in the industry such as discussions on related blogs, attending professional conferences, or other activities to create the reputation and word of mouth marketing to create spontaneous opportunities.

So, the answer is: there's no set number. Instead, you have to make enough contacts with enough impact to win the job offer you are seeking. Like pursuing a sales lead, the more quickly and effectively you accomplish this the less you will have to do in the future.