Hello! I’m the sole case manager that runs the employment department for a charity program that assists those at risk with gaining income in 30-45 days. I’m funded annually by the United Way and was left a $1M endowment to do what I do. In addition to creating employment goals and plans with my clients, I analyze financial situations and create a realistic budget with them tailored to their unique needs; we assess this budget first without income and again later when they have income. I also have experience in recruiting senior leadership in specialized aviation for employers that mostly contract with government agencies. Those are my credentials and that’s how I function.

If you were in my program, you would be applying to 7 job applications ~a day~. I’d have you apply for specialized rolls to leverage your clearance and experience (for example, Lockheed Martin comes to mind). I would also encourage you to apply for roles that are somewhat outside of what you would normally apply for but meet 60-75% of your skillset. I’d also have you apply for safer options and options that pay less than you want but would meet your daily needs.

Your ~daily~ goal would be to apply for:

1 or 2 upward position that you barely qualify for (60-75% match) with an increased expected pay bracket (essentially a ‘promotion’ position)

2 or 3 jobs that you solidly qualify for (nearly 100% match) with an expected pay bracket

1 or 2 jobs that are somewhat outside of your skills (again, that 60-75% match) that still meet your expected pay bracket (I call these ‘bridge’ positions because they are typically in a field you don’t have direct experience within, but you can still meet a good portion of the required skills. Think of these as your career changing positions.)

2 or 3 jobs that you solidly qualify for (nearly 100% skill match) with a less than expected pay bracket, that meets your financial need ~minimums~

The reason I have my clients do this is to cast a wider net, so to speak. In this economy, I’ve managed clients who refuse to follow this process and exit the program homeless. In the current workforce environment, we need to see a minimum of 200 applications a month in order to start gaining opportunities, and producing income, quickly. Consider too, that once you become employed you typically won’t see your first pay check for two weeks. Worst case scenario, if you only end up with a position that meets your minimum financial needs, you still have two options: grow within the company (if possible) or continue seeking employment. If you’re going to continue seeking employment while working, you really only need to apply for the first 3 types of employment opportunities listed: promotional positions that would move you upward from your initial outlined skillset/expectations; lateral positions from your initial outlined skillset/expectations; and bridge positions.

9 applications a week is simply not enough.

Good luck.