Do you spend hours answering online job postings, only to get frustrated by a low rate of response? Are you disappointed at not getting the interviews you want? Does it seem that your resume too often gets lost in the great void of cyberspace? Wonder no further.

It's time to take control with a better plan for selecting and answering the online postings that are appropriate for you. And knowing how to interpret and answer these postings will increase your success at getting in the door.

The three steps below will shed light on how online job postings work and help you use that knowledge to boost your response rate. If you follow these strategies, you'll send out targeted applications that get you the interviews and attention you're looking for.

Step #1: Select the best ads for your background

To start developing your strategy, let's first dissect an online job posting. Most ads feature five sections: job title, company description, responsibilities, qualifications and contact method.

When looking through online job listings, try to quickly size up each ad and weed out those that aren't suitable to your background or that don't really interest you. When doing this, it's crucial to be honest with yourself and concentrate only on those openings that are a very strong match with your qualifications and interests.

It's important to understand that information in job postings isn't always clearly spelled out, so you'll want to try and read between the lines as best you can. This is easier if you have a clear idea of the qualifications that are generally expected of someone in your target position. Do you fit all the required parameters? It's also important to take note of how qualifications are described: are they "required", "desired",? or "preferred"?

To see how appropriate you are for a particular opportunity, try this exercise: List each job requirement and keyword from the posting (e.g. sales, marketing, finance, six-sigma, etc). Then, mark next to each item whether your experiences, education and talents match the requirements and keywords. How well do your qualifications compare with those listed in the ad? Do you meet most of what's required? Can you identify examples that illustrate why you're a good fit for the job? Can you support your ability to perform well in this position?

Asking yourself these questions may be tough, but it's better to commit your valuable time and efforts on other opportunities if you don't have the necessary qualifications or can't make a strong case for the position. On the other hand, if you do have all or most of the desired qualifications, then you are a solid candidate, and by all means, consider applying for the job.

Step #2: Create a targeted resume and cover letter

Once you've winnowed-down and prioritized the jobs you plan to apply for, respond to each with a targeted resume and cover letter.

To target your resume for a particular position, review your current version and adjust it to emphasize the experience and expertise that is relevant to each job's stated requirements. Make sure also that your resume echoes keywords used in the advertisement.

Next, craft a customized cover letter that complements your targeted resume. Emphasize the strong match between your background and the job's requirements, making it easy for the recipient to appreciate your value. Be sure to address the employer's stated needs from the job posting, and write persuasively on how you will help this company achieve its goals.

The best way to demonstrate your value in your letter is with clear examples of how you have helped other employers achieve their goals. You'll also want to present yourself as a natural? by demonstrating that you've done your research on the company and understand its culture. The more that you can place yourself in the reader's world, the greater your chances of reaching them with language that is meaningful to them.

The closeness of your match in the employer's or recruiter's eyes is the key to determining whether your application makes the first cut, and you're contacted for an interview. Your resume and letter must hit home, or your chances of getting an interview are greatly diminished.

Step #3: Send your resume and cover letter to the hiring authority and follow up

Sending a well-crafted resume and cover letter to the right person in an organization maximizes your chance of landing an interview. Your efforts to target and personalize your documents will not only compliment the recipient, but they will make a positive statement about the caliber of person behind the resume. Your targeted approach will also stand out because most resumes and cover letters are not personalized, and because you've taken the time to directly discuss the issues that are of greatest concern to the hiring manager.

If the ad isn't blind, try to identify the hiring authority by calling the organization or searching online. You should also determine whether you know anyone in the organization who may be able to provide you with additional information or relevant contacts.

Once you submit your resume and cover letter, keep your name in front of employers you're applying to. Good follow up should be an integral part of your campaign. On a weekly basis, go through your active job ads and follow up with a phone call or new letter. Since 98% of your competition is not likely to follow up, your polite persistence can pay off.

The Bottom Line

While it's never wise to restrict yourself to just one job search avenue (networking is also a key source of job referrals and information), you should remember that the likelihood of response is directly correlated to the amount of work you put into your applications. When you take the time to carefully and realistically select the jobs you're applying for and then tailor your applications to each opportunity, you demonstrate dedication and hard work -- just the attributes your target companies are looking for!