Unless you are blessed in some way, apply to at least 100 (Maybe 150... 200? ) Last year was probably the worst in the math job market in the last... 25 years? With the debits due to the hurricanes/oil in addition to the (still) on-going war/occupation, it is like that famous phrase: Today is bad, tomorrow does not seem better.

Good luck!

Cheers,
LF

I agree that you should apply only to places where you would work if accepted (otherwise, it is just a waste of mail), but the process is long, and better places have earlier deadlines. If you manage to get a job soon, glory! Until 2004, getting a first job until April was actually the safe range. With this economy, things got later in 2005. Anyhow, since it is your first job, it will be easier (many positions for recent/new PhDs), and I really hope you get a nice postdoc (meaning in a place strong in your specialty - and there are several), as it may strongly interfere in what comes next if you want to go to a research-focused institution (The scary... tenure track! ) If this is the case, I am sure you know that you must publish well-written stuff - two papers a year, preferably: Invest your time in it. No matter how wonderful your other activities are, when the hunting for permanent position comes, it is the most decisive factor... by far.

Well, I am also sure you are making good use of the great resources at the AMS site (If you do not have the due appreciation for it, you eventually shall. )

I am just blah-blah-blahbing here. Never mind.

Cheers,
LF

Goodluck!