Trying to find a new job can feel like a full-time role in itself. Finding suitable job openings, tailoring your resume, writing cover letters, and applying for jobs can take up a huge amount of time and energy. This means it is even more frustrating when you do not hear back or do not get offered the job, which is why it is helpful to be aware of smart time-saving hacks for job seekers. These hacks will allow you to apply to more roles, save time and energy, and improve your chances of landing a job. Sound good? Let's get started.

Create A Template Resume & Cover Letter

You should always tailor your resume and cover letter to the job application, but this does not mean that you have to start from scratch each and every time. This is why it is helpful to create a template resume that contains all of your work history, qualifications, skill set, and achievements in an easy-to-read format. It is then a case of simply tailoring it to the job specification. 

Similarly, you can create a template cover letter that highlights your strengths and then simply customize it to the job specification so that you can highlight why you are the right fit for the job. This can save a huge amount of time and energy while making sure that every application is personalized.

Set Up Job Alerts

If you find that you spend a lot of time browsing for jobs, you should consider setting up job alerts. Most job platforms allow you to create alerts based on job title, location, or specific keywords. This means that you can instantly find suitable jobs and be one of the first people to apply - this can make a big difference when you are operating in a competitive market.

Automate Application Tracking

It can be easy to lose track of job applications, especially when you are applying to multiple jobs each day. Application tracking is an important part of the process, including sending follow-up reminders. This can also be time-consuming, which is why you should use free project management tools like Trello and Notion. Alternatively, you could create your own spreadsheet with columns including:

1. Company name
2. Job title
3. Date applied
4. Response status
5. Follow-up reminders

Having a system in place for this will prevent you from missing deadlines and sending multiple applications to the same job.

Use Niche Job Boards

Job boards like Indeed can be useful for finding new jobs, but it can also feel a lot like trying to find a needle in a haystack. This is because large job boards like this have thousands of new openings each day, which makes it hard and time-consuming to find roles that are right for you. Therefore, one smart solution is to use niche job boards for your specific industry. This can make it much faster and easier to find suitable new positions each day. 

Prep Interviews In Advance

Of course, you should always prepare for each individual interview, but there is also a lot that you can prepare ahead of time. Many interviews have the same basic questions, so prepping answers to these ahead of time can save you time and energy. A few basic questions to prepare for include:

1. Tell us about yourself
2. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
3. Describe a challenge you faced at work
4. Do you have any questions for us?

It is wise to prepare answers to these questions and to practice answering them ahead of time (mock interviews are a smart way to prepare and reduce anxiety). It is also a good idea to have a list of your achievements, including any metrics for measurable results.

Use Digital Tools To Stay Organized

It can be easy to become disorganized when it comes to job applications, and the longer the search goes on, the harder it becomes to keep on top of everything. This is why it is a good idea to use digital tools that will help you stay organized - this will also make it quicker and easier to find everything you need each day while keeping stress levels down. A few useful digital tools to use include:

1. Cloud storage for storing resumes, cover letters, qualifications, etc.
2. Digital calendars to schedule follow-up messages and schedule interviews
3. Password managers to safely store logins for different job boards

Use Certified Mail Labels

While a lot of job applications take place entirely online these days, there are still times when you might need to send official documents. For instance, you may need to send in evidence of qualifications, background check forms, signed contracts, or onboarding paperwork. In these situations, you do not want to spend time queuing up at the post office. Fortunately, you do not have to with the Certified Mail Labels online service. This allows you to print your own labels at home, which can save both time and money. In addition to this, you can benefit from certified mail tracking so that you can track your mail and ensure that it arrives on time. 

Reach Out To Your Network

The whole reason to build a large professional network is for times like these, yet people often shy away from asking for opportunities when looking for a new job. Reaching out to former coworkers, friends, family, alumni, and other people you have connected with is a great way to find new opportunities, plus you can often benefit from referrals or people putting in a good word for you. This can be a lot easier and quicker than cold messaging, so do not shy away from asking around in your professional network - just make sure that you are willing to return the favor one day!

The advice in this post should help you save time during your job search and hopefully find the right position before long. Job searching can feel like a full-time position in itself, which can leave you feeling drained and despondent. By adopting these practices, you can streamline key tasks, stand out from the crowd, and improve your chances of being selected.