5 ways to maximize your job search productivity

While the pandemic lasted, it was difficult to think about looking for new work. But today, it would seem to be a good time.
Here we give you some tips to know where to start.

1. Create a job search plan.

Analyze your weekly schedule and find windows of time for job searching, then block out that time and stick to your schedule.

It can also be helpful to break down the job search process into different categories: for example, maybe on Monday you look for jobs for two hours; on Wednesday, you draft and review your materials and submit your applications; and you use Fridays for follow-ups.

2. Make your job search time truly dedicated.

It’s especially important to work in an environment where you can focus, so you can avoid making silly mistakes (like typos in your resume, submitting a cover letter you wrote for a different position, or misreading the application requirements) if you’re distracted.

3. Take advantage of time tracking.

When you have a clock ticking, you’re more likely to focus and get straight to the task at hand. Additionally, managing your time can also prevent you from burning out and feeling exhausted. Try the “Pomodoro” technique, in which you set aside 25-minute “sprints” followed by a 5-minute break to get a cup of coffee.

4. Develop (and organize) strategic job search materials.

Scrambling to write new cover letters or tweak your resume for every job you apply to is a huge time waste, and also leaves a lot of room for error. However, it’s important to personalize and customize your application materials for each job you apply to. You can easily accomplish this by creating a “core” cover letter that can be quickly edited for the position you’re applying to.

If you’re applying for a few different types of jobs, write a cover letter for each type, and create different versions of your resume to go along with them. Then, you’ll have them on hand when you’re ready to apply, and all you should need to do is change a couple of specifics.

Store these in organized folders (either on your computer or on a platform like Google Drive or Dropbox) and use clear naming conventions so you don’t mix anything up.

5. Keep track of what you do.

Though it might seem like a waste of time, keeping track of which jobs you’ve applied to, or considered applying to, will help you out in the long run. You will also have some sort of record that you can use as a metric to determine your level of success (meaning, how many responses or interview invitations you receive) with different types of jobs or companies.

If you are on the other side, and you are the employer, we also have some advice to give you. Did you know that you can hire companies that take care of all the costs and time involved in hiring someone? In our Blog we have a lot of information about that. Contact Us