Seeing a LinkedIn job ticker show that over a hundred people have clicked apply on the same role can be discouraging. It's easy to start wondering why you bothered applying at all once you see that number. But focusing on the competition is the wrong place to put your energy.

Think about golf for a moment. One of the best things about the game is that you're only playing against yourself. The only thing that matters is whether this round was better than the last one. The same logic applies to job applications.

You cannot change another candidate's CV, skills, or experience, so there is no real value in spending time thinking about them. The only comparison that matters is how your current application stacks up against your last one.

Before submitting an application, it helps to ask three simple questions. Is this application stronger and more robust than the last one you sent? Does your resume align more closely with the specific requirements the employer has outlined? And is the proof that you're a strong candidate placed right at the top, where it will actually get read?



If the answer to all three is yes, you've already improved on your last attempt, regardless of how many other people applied. The advice moving forward is straightforward: stop watching the crowd and focus on beating your own score.