How to Maximize Your Job Search Efforts in an Hour or Less

Looking for a new job is exciting—but it can also be time-consuming and overwhelming.

Many people find themselves embarking on a job search while they’re already employed or otherwise busy throughout the day, adding to their time constraints and frustration.

However, you can optimize the time you spend searching to yield better results and mitigate burnout.

Here’s how to make the most of your job search efforts.

4  Ways to Boost Your Job Search Efforts in an Hour or Less

1. Register for an event.

Established business events offer the perfect opportunities to make new connections in your desired field while also learning more about the profession you hope to enter.

Set up Google alerts to notify you once tickets go on sale for conventions or seminars in your area, and look for events that offer a variety of workshops and lectures.

Once you’ve registered for a few events, research the speakers on the panels you plan to attend, and then prepare questions for each person you’d like to connect with.

Bring business cards with you to the event, and stick around after each seminar to try and strike up a conversation with any potential leads.

2. Fine-tune your inbox.

When you start a search on almost any job board, you’ll be required to sign up using your email.

Once you do, you may be bombarded with messages listing a wide variety of openings—even if they don’t pertain to your interests.

As such, it can be easy to overlook these emails as spam.

However, by doing so, you may be missing out on opportunities that fit your needs.

To ensure you only receive targeted emails, take two minutes to tweak your profile preferences to send emails about the job titles you’re interested in.

That way, whenever you do receive a new message, you can be sure it will have listings that are worth exploring.

---

Tip: Set up a Rule or Filter to automatically sort incoming messages into labels or subfolders that are relevant to a sender or keyword. Automation will keep your primary inbox from becoming too cluttered.

---

In addition to controlling the messages you receive, you should also take some time to organize the content in your inbox.

You might want to assign different category labels to job openings that appeal to you (for example, high priority, etc.).

Next, to track your progress with each organization, keep a spreadsheet and catalog your interactions with every company, including notes about the position title, application date, employment details, and interview questions.

3. Go through your contacts.

When it comes to a successful job search, the adage rings true: It’s all about who you know.

Take a look at your social media feeds to see what colleagues, classmates, and friends are doing today.

If you see someone you know in a company or position that piques your interest, send a quick message.

Don’t jump the gun and lead with your interest in a job—many people find this too transactional. Instead, show interest in their lives and be genuine about reconnecting. Start by asking how they are and what they’ve been up to.

Once you’ve established a friendly rapport, you can make it clear that you’re looking for new career opportunities.

Ask them if it would be possible to get together for a quick bite to eat during your lunch break or meet for an afternoon coffee. Explain to them that you’d love to pick their brain and see if they may have any advice or potential leads to aid in your job search. A 30-minute lunch break with a contact could end up leading to a valuable career connection.

4. Update your online presence.

Many recruiters and scouts start their search for potential candidates online.

As such, it’s crucial for you to polish your online presence. Take a few minutes to update your profile.

Simple tweaks like updating your title, uploading a professional headshot, or editing your “About Me” section will make you appear more modern, detail-oriented, and likable to others. Use punchy language, pay attention to keywords, and make sure every section contains relevant information about your candidacy.

---

Tip: You have limited space on your employee profile pages. Don’t use your job title in the heading—this information is usually visible in other areas of your work history. Instead, use this field to give the reader more information about what makes you unique.

Bonus: Use a keyword in the heading to boost your visibility in search results.

---

You should also take some time every few days to update your page with new posts or content that’s relevant to your business interests.

Something as simple as sharing an insightful article will show recruiters you’re an active participant in the industry and are committed to furthering your education—both of which are attractive features in a potential candidate. Many social media algorithms are also designed to encourage active users, so the more frequently you post, the more impressions you’ll make.

To optimize your time online, consider scheduling posts out in advance by using a social media management application like Buffer, Sprout, or Hootsuite. Most of these programs offer a free version for personal use.

A Note About Scheduling

The key to avoiding burnout when you embark on a job search is to dedicate a bit of time every day to the task.

Whether you’re updating your resume or reaching out to an old friend, a little bit of work goes a long way. Divide your long-term goal into small tasks that are easy to tackle one hour at a time.

If you need help chipping away at your to-do list, Ivy Exec offers resume and writing services that will make you stand out from the competition. Find out more by visiting their services page today.

---

Want help finding a new job? Schedule a free career consultation with an Ivy Exec Career Advisor.

---