80% of your success actually happens before you ever click “submit.”

And if you’re getting ghosted, if your inbox is full of “thanks but no thanks” or if it feels like you’re applying into a black hole…

The problem most likely lies before your application is even sent.

Recruiters can tell within seconds if you’re just another “spray and pray” candidate.

And when that happens, it doesn’t matter how good you’d be at the job, they’ll never even get to the part where they find out.

Which is why I prepared a full pre-application checklist you can use to completely flip the script and have recruiters chase you instead of ghosting you. (And yes, this is the checklist I personally used to land multiple six-figure roles across totally different industries).

And before getting into it, I just wanted to let you know that I also posted a video of me breaking down these tips on YouTube, which you can watch by clicking HERE.

Sending out more applications doesn’t get you more offers, it just gets you ignored faster.

And trust me, I get it.

It feels productive to say, “I applied to 20 jobs today.” But if all 20 were rushed, generic, and copy-pasted, you’ve really just wasted a lot of time.

What actually works is slowing down and treating each application like a mini-project.

Because a handful of high quality applications will always beat dozens of lazy ones.

Most candidates stop at the “About Us” page and that’s exactly why they blend in.

Dig deeper. Read recent news, funding announcements, and product launches. Check employee spotlights and see what the leadership team is posting on LinkedIn.

Learn the product and the customer, if you can’t explain the company’s business in two sentences, you’re not ready to apply.

Plus, this research doesn’t just help you stand out to the recruiter. It also helps you decide if this is actually a company you’d enjoy working for.

Most people skim the job description, check a few boxes in their head, and hit apply.

Big mistake.

If you really want to stand out, go line by line.

Separate the “required” qualifications from the “preferred” ones. Then, map each bullet point to your own experience.

Ask yourself: Where have I done this before? How can I prove it?

This exercise does two things: it helps you decide if you’re genuinely qualified and it gives you great talking points for your resume, cover letter, and interview.

Like it or not, your LinkedIn profile is more important than your resume because recruiters almost always check it first.

First, your headline should point toward the role you want, not just the one you already have.

And your summary? Don’t just list responsibilities. Use keywords from job postings and highlight measurable results.

Same goes for your experience section…

“Managed social media” doesn’t get anyone excited. “Grew Instagram engagement by 85% in 8 months”? That makes people pay attention.

And finally, your photo DOES matter. No selfies, no group shots, no sunglasses. A clean, professional headshot instantly makes you look more credible.

Employers will most definitely Google you.

Check what shows up under your name (both web and images). Lock down personal socials.

Delete or hide anything you wouldn’t want your boss to see. You want your online presence to support your brand, not sabotage it.

Applications aren’t reviewed equally, timing plays a big role in it.

Apply Tuesday–Thursday, mid-morning in the company’s time zone.

Avoid applying right before holidays or during industry “crunch seasons” (tax season for accounting, Black Friday for retail, etc.).

And always follow up strategically 1–2 weeks later, not the next day looking desperate, and not months later when the role is already filled.

Glassdoor and Indeed aren’t just for checking salaries, they’re insider cheat sheets if you know how to use them.

Don’t just skim the overall ratings. Read reviews from people in the same role you’re applying for, that’s where you’ll see what the job is really like day to day.

Look for patterns: are multiple people mentioning poor work-life balance, constant turnover, or micromanagement? That’s valuable intel.

And don’t skip the interview section. Candidates often share the exact questions they were asked and describe the format of the interview. It’s basically like getting the answer key before the test.

Networking doesn’t mean sending out 100 random connection requests and hoping someone bites.

Real networking is about being intentional.

Start by connecting with employees at your target company, but always try personalizing the note. A simple “I’d love to add you to my network” gets ignored.

Instead, mention something specific, maybe you went to the same school, worked in the same industry, or liked a recent post they shared.

And don’t stop at connection. Engage with their content. Leave thoughtful comments that show you know your stuff. Share industry insights or quick takeaways that demonstrate how you think.

This positions you as a peer, not just another job seeker.

Most people forget half their accomplishments when it’s time to update their resume.

Fix that by keeping a running ‘brag file.’ Save project outcomes, KPIs you crushed, and positive feedback in one place.

Then, when you’re writing resumes or prepping for interviews, you’ll have concrete stories ready to go. It’s like your personal arsenal of proof that you deliver results.

If you follow the steps above, interviews will be coming your way, so how do you get ready for them?

Don’t walk in blind.

Look up your interviewers on LinkedIn. See where they’ve worked, what they’ve posted about, and what they care about professionally.

This simple prep turns a generic Q&A into a real conversation.

Instead of giving cookie-cutter answers, you’ll be speaking their language and showing that you’ve done your homework, something most candidates never bother to do.

I sincerely hope you enjoyed these tips. But before saying goodbye I want to address an uncomfortable truth…

And this hurts to say but…

Most of you won’t actually do any of these tips.

A lot of you will read the tips, nod your head, and then go back to blasting out applications the old way.

Don’t be most people.

The job market is competitive but it’s certainly not impossible.

And by simply applying the tips mentioned in this Email you’ll be above 80% of your competition.

P.S. When you do apply one of these tips, feel free to share it with me!

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