Job applications/week

[tomq04]

I'm casually looking for a new job in either accounting or as a systems analyst, and would not be able start start due to contractual obligations until Feb 1, 2016.

I'm putting out 10-15 resumes/week...should that be enough to "casually" find something by then, or should I be hitting this like crazy and hitting 30-40/week.

I'm in Spokane, WA, so a slower job market than say a "real" city.

[Digital Dogma]

Job applications are important but I'd also pursue every casual business contact you've got for leads from your barber to your dentist. You never know, you could be talking to your next employer's brother in law, and if you've got a solid reputation as a good customer and friendly person they might put their neck out for you if they can.

[Eric]

It's my novice opinion that you're wasting your time.  Most job listings are for positions that are open now.  I'd guess that you're not even being given a second look if you're not available for 6 months.  If it were me, I'd take a break and start looking again in December.  But my current red hot job market may be skewing my perspective on this.

[marty998]

Agree with Eric - Companies that are hiring are looking for someone immediately, not in 6 months time.

[beltim]

It's my novice opinion that you're wasting your time.  Most job listings are for positions that are open now.  I'd guess that you're not even being given a second look if you're not available for 6 months.  If it were me, I'd take a break and start looking again in December.  But my current red hot job market may be skewing my perspective on this.

I'm not sure about the job market, but I know there are wildly different expectations by field.  I know some industries want to hire people to start now, and others start job searches a year or more in advance.  I honestly have no idea where accounting falls on that spectrum, but I just wanted to point out that there's significant timeline variability.

[Eric]

I'm an accountant, if that lends any more weight to my opinion.  :)

[beltim]

I'm an accountant, if that lends any more weight to my opinion.  :)

Ha!  Well, that completely negates the point of my post.

[Eric]

I'm an accountant, if that lends any more weight to my opinion.  :)

Ha!  Well, that completely negates the point of my post.

You still make a good point.  And like I said, my opinion could be skewed by my location (Silicon Valley) where things are hot, hot, hot!

[AZDude]

I would wait unless you are willing to break the contract(and pay the penalty, whatever it may be).

I'm casually looking for a job as well, although something very specific. I send out maybe 1-2 a week, if that. I still get called every other week to discuss the position.

[tomq04]

Some of the government jobs at the Handford area take 4 months to even process from contact to offer, I was also working under the impression the accounting firms would be hiring for January tax season, so I don't think it is out of line to contact these folks.

I'm really after what do you guys do when you are actively applying for jobs without a sense of urgency, how many touchs/week are you going for?

[choppingwood]

I'd focus on quality, not quantity of resumes. Customize the resume and cover letter for every employer. You are more likely to get interviews than doing mass mailings.

[Sibley]

Accounting firms in my experience do experienced hiring for the spring busy season in the fall, so you're probably a little early for them, but at this point you're close enough so it shouldn't be a huge problem.

-CPA, formerly in public accounting (audit).