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Finding a job you love takes patience and hard work. Even if you’re already employed, you still face many challenges. So like my first LinkedIn blog post, here are some helpful tips to make your life easier while working. Let’s get started.

1. Strengthen your base

Before creating your job search schedule, consider this helpful quote from Abraham Lincoln. 

“Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” -Abraham Lincoln

It’s always better to polish your resume, LinkedIn and portfolio before applying to jobs you want. That way, you get clarity on what you want and don’t want to do.

Do this for four to six weeks, then start going full steam on job applications. Or, try job searching one day and work on your career application documents the next day. Rinse and repeat until you get your new job.

2. Hack your schedule

I’m a big fan of this Business Insider article on how to schedule your day when you’re unemployed. However, maintaining progress feels challenging when you work full-time or even part-time. So, instead of job hunting for eight hours on top of your work hours, take small steps instead. Such as shooting for three hours of job work or even 90 minutes and below.

TIME-SAVING JOB SEARCH TIPS

3. Use Pomodoro and other time-blocking techniques

For each task, devote 25 minutes instead of the one to three-hour recommendations. Try 15, 10 or five minutes if 25 minutes doesn’t work for your schedule. The time doesn’t sound like much, but like stock investing, your progress compounds over time. Which results in massive career gains for you if you keep the momentum up.

4. Prioritize

Pick your most important tasks from the BI schedule to focus on first each day. For instance, if you lack work experience then doing volunteer work makes more sense. So, you can create content for your portfolio to get noticed by the hiring manager easier.

Second, do more challenging tasks at your peak energy levels. While for straightforward tasks, do them when you feel low willpower. Also, change the order you do these tasks to suit your work style best. Finally, instead of five daily tasks, do three or fewer and finish the ones you missed the next day. If you struggle to adapt to the BI schedule, ponder this Gary Keller quote.

“What’s the one thing I can do such that by doing it, everything else will be easier or unnecessary?”-Gary Keller

5. Avoid perfectionism

“Done is better than perfect.”- Sheryl Sandburg.

Stop spending hours writing cover letters and perfecting your resume. Shorten that time so you do it faster. Still, tailor everything in your job application, but be efficient. To do that, use job application templates! That way, if you get contacted by a recruiter or see a job alert, you take action today. Instead of waiting a week or never applying.

6. Use job alerts to save you time

Rather than spending hours finding jobs, set up job alerts so the jobs come to you. LinkedIn job alerts let you do this, but it’s essential to do the same for Indeed and other job boards. Also, look at dream companies you want to work for and see if they have job alerts too. Following companies on X and other social media works well, too. Doing this allows you to spend more time applying for jobs and getting hired faster.

SCHEDULING AND ROUTINE TIPS

7. Do strategic networking        

Networking provides many benefits and often leads to a new job. But do you do strategic networking? Hundreds of networks exist, and choosing the right ones makes all the difference. For instance, conferences and hiring events by recruiters do a lot for you in a short time. However, you’re competing with lots of people for limited roles. Others, like job search, coaching and skill-building, demand more patience to get results.

Additionally, with COVID-19, most networking pivoted online to Zoom calls. That’s good news for you, and with some research, you’re sure to find something that aligns with your career goals. So, do consider in-person networking and online events, but be strategic.

8. Adjust your work hours at your current job

Are you locked into a 9-to-5 job with no time to interview? That’s one of the pitfalls of working survival jobs since not all jobs offer generous PTO. If that’s the case for you, then work with your boss for more flexible hours. Consider starting work at 11am instead of 9am. Or start work before 9am and finish by 3pm. Working second or third shifts also works well for freeing up your mornings to interview.

The downside of working a second shift? It limits your ability to network and spend time with family/friends. Going to events in the evening gets difficult when you’re working when most people don’t. The third shift offers more flexibility and works better for some people. Unfortunately, it throws off your sleep schedule and makes it harder to job search in the morning. 

Lastly, and not ideal but consider weekend jobs. This way, you free up one or two weekdays for interviews. Some jobs offer shorter five-hour shifts and remote flexibility too. So you can spend some time with friends and family.

9. Make sure you’re financially stable before volunteering

What’s a helpful way to get work experience in a field you enjoy? Volunteering! Check out Indeed for opportunities relevant to your interests. Just make sure you’re financially stable before you commit hard. Read The 10% Entrepreneur for more advice on how to balance creative pursuits with your day job. I found devoting five to 10 hours per month to a project manageable when holding a job.

10. Use commute times well and learn to work offline

After COVID-19, many people no longer commute as often, but if you do, it offers many benefits. For instance, I use my commute time to write articles, draft emails, and tailor my portfolio for jobs. Working offline at first feels limited, but with the right tools, it’s doable. I don’t like writing on my phone, so I use a tablet or laptop to work. The key to staying productive requires syncing up your work ahead of time so it’s accessible offline. If that’s not convenient for you, consider investing in a hotspot.

What’s another perk to mastering working well offline? You’re ready to take action when job opportunities appear out of nowhere. Sometimes the person who gets the lucrative job goes to the one who gets submitted first. Not the one who spends hours crafting a perfect resume and cover letter. So, learn to work offline and reap the benefits. 

FINAL THOUGHTS

11. Be consistent, stay motivated and remain positive

What are the most challenging parts of a job search? Consistency, sticking with it, and keeping a positive mental attitude. So don’t give up and tweak your job search routine with these tips!