Blind applications can only work for you if you have an in-demand skill set that the company is looking for. Otherwise, your resume will just be another file, together with those of hundreds of applicants with the same skill set as yours. It’s very difficult to catch the right person’s attention if you don’t have anything outstanding to offer the company.

For help, consider these tips on how to conduct an effective job search:

Use your time wisely when searching online job resources. Instead of poring over job boards and sending your resume in response to every job posting you’re interested in, turn to popular job search platforms, including LinkedIn, HotJobAlerts, Indeed, CareerBuilder, Monster, and more. You can turn on job alerts and notifications to help you focus on postings that will match your job skills.

Use your network. There’s nothing wrong with reaching out to your personal connections when looking for new job opportunities. You can always ask for professional contacts or advice to help you find new opportunities. Strive to meet and connect with new people at social events. You can make new friends and grow your network.

Look for old contacts. This is applicable for those who don’t have recent connections relevant to their current job search—Make use of alumni databases to find individuals around your city that are involved in your field of interest. Having attended the same school is enough of a foundation to connect and ask for their advice.

Work on your resume and cover letter. Connections won’t help if your resume and cover letter don’t appeal to potential employers. The documents you hand in should be of high-quality—These files represent your image as a whole. Include relevant information in your resume and cover letter, including your career summary, your achievements, and skill set. Tweak as much as you can and use important keywords related to your field.