How many applications should I expect to submit before getting an interview?
Use the 20% rule as your diagnostic. If you're getting interviews for roughly one in five applications, your materials are working and it's a numbers game — keep applying. If you're well below that rate, something in your application package needs attention before you submit more.
The mistake most candidates make is applying to too many positions without improving their materials, or applying to too few and getting discouraged. Track your numbers honestly. If you've submitted ten applications and gotten zero interviews, the answer isn't "submit ten more of the same." The answer is to get objective feedback on your resume, cover letter, and the match between your experience and the positions you're targeting.
More on Admin Job Search
How early should I start preparing for an education leadership job search?
Months before you plan to apply — ideally a full year.
What's the most common mistake people make on education leadership applications?
Listing duties instead of accomplishments.
How should I prepare for education leadership interviews?
Practice on camera.
What role do references play in the admin hiring process?
More than most candidates realize — and most candidates manage them badly.
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There are also 22 more questions on Admin Job Search answered from video content — see the full Admin Job Search FAQ →
Answered by Justin Baeder, PhD, Director of The Principal Center and author of three books on instructional leadership.