Do the Job Before You Apply for the Job
Author Sahil Bloom says sending fewer, tailored applications works better because mass, automated applying lowers your odds.
Curiosity Chronicle · The Traffic Jam Theory of SuccessAuthor Sahil Bloom advises fewer, better-targeted applications over sending as many as possible. When applying costs almost nothing, he says, sending more can lower your odds, because cheap, automated effort stops sending a useful signal to employers.
Instead, act as if you already have the job. Study what the company needs, what problems it must solve, and where its gaps are, then write up how you would help. That can be a simple memo, an outline, or a short example video. The answers do not need to be perfect, since you do not work there yet, but the work shows real attention that cannot be faked and an ability to work out problems without being told how.
Then do not drop that work into the online pile. Dig up the names of the key people the role would work with and get the material to them directly. Bloom notes that not every one will land, and some of that effort will go unnoticed, but he says focused attempts raise your odds far more than mass applying.
If online outreach still fails, meet people in person. Bloom suggests going to an in-person industry gathering, dropping off your work and resume by hand, or saving up to pay to attend a retreat or mastermind, a small group meeting for peer advice, that includes a few attendees or speakers you would want to meet. Doing things the hard way, Bloom says, "stands out from the traffic jam," where everyone else takes the easy route and crowds it.
Questions people ask
What should I actually put in that memo?
Keep it short and specific to one problem the team faces now. Name the problem in plain language, sketch how you would approach it in the first 30 days, and include one small sample of the work, like an outline, a draft, or a 60-second video. Hiring managers skim, so one clear idea beats a long report.
How do I find the right person to send it to?
Start with the job post, the company website, and LinkedIn to identify the hiring manager and likely teammates. Look for titles the role would report to or work alongside, then check talks, posts, or podcasts for what they care about. A brief, polite note with the memo attached works better than asking for a favor.
Is dropping things off in person still acceptable?
It depends on the workplace, and you should be polite and brief. A conference, industry meetup, career fair, or public event is usually a natural place to introduce yourself and leave material. For an office, call ahead or ask a contact if an in-person drop-off is welcome rather than showing up unannounced.