It is worth investing substantial time and energy in researching the job requirements for each vacancy, seeking out acquaintances who might help you get past the first screening, and carefully tailoring your resume to emphasize the qualities sought by each institution. This might or might not do. The objective at this stage of the search is not to get a job, but only to get the interview. Thus, in your letters of application and on your resumes, don't use all your ammunition. Such details as why you want to move, all your honors, reservations you may have about the kind of work you will do, and so forth may not be appropriate.
Many recruiters seek to eliminate applicants in the first screening.
Any excess information you give beyond demonstrating you have the required qualifications stands as good a chance of eliminating you as it does of getting you the interview. Getting the Offer One popular job search model holds that an average candidate will be interviewed for six different positions before he or she gets a suitable offer. If you are interviewed more than six times and still have not gotten an offer, it may be time for you to examine your pattern. Perhaps your interviewing skills need to be evaluated and sharpened. In any case, many offers are lost because candidates fail to keep their mind on the right goal for this stage of the job search.