[mystifyingpoi]

This. OP is playing by the rules. The rules are silly and dysfunctional, but at least in the short term, that's the winning strategy. I'd probably do the same in his case (or at least a combination of sending maybe 5 well-made resumes or cover letters, to the companies that are the most promising, + 95 "spray and pray" ones for random fishing).

[usernamed7]

You got it. If you KNOW the company is ACTUALLY hiring and is serious about filling the role, and it's a good fit; take the extra time. But spray and pray helps counter ghost jobs which are impossible to detect until hindsight.