Most job seekers spend weeks “staying busy” on job boards—then wonder why interviews don’t happen. A faster strategy is to flip the process: pick a short list of companies, learn what they need, and run a focused outreach + application plan.

Why a 10-company target list works

• Less noise, more signal: You tailor your resume and outreach to real needs.
• Better networking: It’s easier to ask for warm intros when you have specific targets.
• Momentum: Repeating a tight workflow builds speed and confidence.

Step 1: Build your 10-company list in 30 minutes

Choose companies that match role + industry + stage + location (or remote).

Quick sources:

• Company pages on LinkedIn (headcount trends, recent hires)
• Recent funding/news (signals hiring investment)
• Competitors of companies you already like

A simple filter: If you can’t name one business challenge the company might have, it’s not ready for your list.

Step 2: Create a “Role Hypothesis” for each company

Before you apply, write 2–3 bullets:

• What team likely owns the work?
• What outcomes matter in the first 90 days?
• What skills/tools are non-negotiable?

This becomes your customization blueprint for resumes, cover letters, and outreach.

Step 3: Run a 3-touch outreach plan (that doesn’t feel spammy)

Aim for 1–2 conversations per company, not “spray and pray.”

Touch #1 (Day 1): A short message to a likely hiring manager or adjacent leader:

• 1 line: why you’re reaching out
• 1 line: proof you’ve done homework (product/news/metric)
• 1 line: what you’ve done that’s similar
• 1 line: ask for a 10–15 min chat

Touch #2 (Day 4–5): Follow-up with a useful artifact:

• A 3-bullet mini audit, a portfolio link, or a quick idea relevant to their goals

Touch #3 (Day 10): Close the loop politely:

• “If now isn’t the right time, I’ll apply and stay on your radar.”

Step 4: Apply with precision (and track everything)

When you apply, make sure your top third of the resume screams match:

• Headline aligned to the role
• 2–3 impact bullets using numbers
• Keywords mirrored from the job description (truthfully)

Track: company, role, contact(s), date, follow-ups, and outcome. Consistency beats intensity.

Step 5: Measure what’s working weekly

Every Friday, review:

• Outreach sent → replies
• Conversations → referrals
• Applications → screens

Then double down on the channel that’s converting best.

Your turn: If you picked 10 companies today, what’s the biggest obstacle—finding the right contacts, writing the message, or tailoring the resume—and why?