How Many Job Applications Should You Submit on Reddit Per Day?

Imagine this: You’ve been scrolling Reddit, and you come across a thread discussing the "magic number" of job applications to send out per day. One user claims sending out 50 a day is ideal, while another says 5 is more than enough. So, how many job applications should you realistically submit each day to maximize your chances of landing a job? The answer isn’t as straightforward as you might think, but understanding the factors that play into this decision can significantly help in creating a job-hunting strategy that works for you.

The Numbers Behind Job Hunting

The idea that more applications equal a higher chance of landing a job is a misconception. Reddit users who advocate for mass applications often cite the sheer volume of competition as the reason behind their strategy. However, it’s essential to remember that quality often trumps quantity. Let’s break it down:

Number of Applications vs. Job Offers

Research from major recruiting platforms suggests that it can take anywhere from 100 to 200 applications to secure a single offer. In that sense, submitting 10–20 applications daily might seem productive. But there’s a crucial element many overlook: the fit. Are you tailoring your resume and cover letter for each application? If not, that number might as well be zero.

The Quality of Applications Matters

According to career experts and discussions on Reddit, the sweet spot is typically between 5 to 10 well-tailored applications per day. This allows you to carefully adjust your materials for each job, making you a much stronger candidate. The effectiveness of this strategy is clear when we look at success stories where users claim to have landed jobs with fewer applications, but those applications were highly targeted.

Burnout Is Real

One of the recurring themes in Reddit discussions about job hunting is burnout. Users who aim to send out more than 20 applications daily often share stories of exhaustion. It’s easy to fall into the trap of feeling like you’re doing more by simply applying to more jobs, but mental health and energy levels matter. Sending out dozens of applications in one day might feel productive, but if you’re experiencing burnout, your applications are likely to suffer in quality.

Time and Mental Investment

Most job seekers spend around 30 minutes to 1 hour on each application when they’re properly tailoring their resume and cover letter. If you’re applying to 10 jobs a day, that’s roughly 5–10 hours of effort. The key is to focus on jobs that are a good fit for your experience and skills. Spraying and praying—that is, sending out as many applications as possible without much care for fit—won’t yield great results.

What Does Reddit Say?

Reddit has become a hub for job seekers, with users offering advice based on their personal experiences. Based on analysis of discussions from subreddits like r/jobs, r/careerguidance, and r/AskReddit, here’s a breakdown of what the community suggests:

Number of Applications/Day	General Feedback
1–5	Focused and high quality, with users often reporting success in a shorter time.
5–10	Seen as the sweet spot by many Redditors. Balances quality and volume effectively.
10–20	Effective if you can maintain quality, though burnout is a common concern.
20+	Not generally recommended. Users report burnout and a noticeable dip in application quality.

Tailoring Applications: The Critical Factor

The concept of sending out personalized applications comes up repeatedly in Reddit threads. Users recommend targeting specific companies and customizing each resume to fit the job description. This is where keywords come into play. Reddit users frequently discuss the importance of ATS (Applicant Tracking System) optimization. If your resume doesn’t pass the automated filters, it won’t even make it to a human recruiter. This is why spending more time on fewer applications, ensuring that they are tailored and ATS-friendly, is far more effective than mass submissions.

Lessons From the Reddit Community

1. Quality over Quantity: One of the most cited pieces of advice on Reddit is to focus on quality applications. Users who follow this often report better results.
2. Personalization is Key: Tailoring your resume and cover letter can increase your chances of getting noticed. Redditors who emphasize personalization tend to have more success.
3. Take Care of Your Mental Health: Job hunting can be draining, and many users discuss the need for self-care during this time. Avoiding burnout will keep your applications sharp.
4. Track Your Progress: Keeping a spreadsheet or a log of the jobs you’ve applied for is a strategy recommended by many. This helps you stay organized and prevents you from applying for the same job multiple times.

Conclusion

While there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer, a balance of around 5–10 well-tailored applications per day seems to be the sweet spot according to both Reddit discussions and career experts. Focus on quality, personalization, and maintaining your mental health during the job-hunting process, and you’ll increase your chances of landing the job you want.