7 not-so-obvious hacks to save time during your job search

7 not-so-obvious hacks to save time during your job search7 not-so-obvious hacks to save time during your job searchAs with many things in life, the key to saving time while on the job hunt is towork smarter, not harder.Sending resumes, reading profiles, filling out applications, and interviewing can be daunting. But dont fear you can streamline the process by using these 7 not-so-obvious hacks to save you time - and energy - during your job search.1. Work with astaffing agency.Instead of spending hours sifting through thousands of job listings, expedite the process by letting an expert with the inside scoop do the sifting for you.Staffing agenciesevaluate your previous work experience, and can even help get your application materials into top shape. They handle much of the legwork, and connect you to hiring managers you might not have access to otherwise.2. Be selective.Resist the temptation to apply to absolutely every job you binnensee while in a wave of panic. Yes, doing so wil l increase your odds of receiving aninterviewinvite. But those invitations can start to pile up and become a major time suck. By focusing on the quality ofjobsover the quantity, you can direct your time and energy toward companies that are a good fit.One way to narrow your search is to rank the jobs you see by level of interest, group them into tiers, and apply to one tier of jobs, wait to see which you hear back from, then apply to a second tier.3. Translate tasks into skills.After working in a certain punkt for a while, completing certain tasks can become second nature, and we forget that there was ever a time before we knew how to do them. Make a list of tasks you are responsible for, and write what hard andsoft skillsare required to complete them. Having a good understanding of your abilities allows you to more easily craft your applications, tailor your cover letters or letters of intent, and call specifics examples of how you have applied your skills to mind during interviews. 4. Track those call times and follow-up emails.Being in the throes of the job search can feel chaotic, but having all of your information in one place will make the process go much more smoothly and will keep the momentum going. Keep a spreadsheet that tracks when youve submitted applications, interview dates, call times, and responses. Then, enter these dates into yourcalendaror planner so you dont miss anything.5. Make the most of the virtual world.How many times have you heard the phrase yournetworkis your net worth in your life? As is the case with many cliches, the reason for its ubiquity is that there is truth in the sentiment. Even if you dont have time in your schedule to meet up with former colleagues for coffee or attend officialnetworkingevents, you can take advantage of the power of your network without stepping foot outside. One benefit of living in the digital age is that you can boost your presence through online profiles. Keep yourLinkedInand any websites that provid e examples of your work (if applicable) up to date, and dont be shy aboutpromoting yourself on social media. You never know who will come across your work or share with their own network.6. Turn on search and text alerts.Continue totake advantage of technologyby staying in the loop about when a job in the field youre interested in is posted. You can set up alerts on Google, Fairygodboss, or most online job boards that you have a membership with. Getting notifications in real time eliminates the need to continuously search and refresh to see whats new.7. Have a masterresumeready at all times.Even if youre not on the market for anew jobat the moment, having a master resume of every position youve held on hand can be amajortime-saver when you find yourself searching. As previously mentioned, its easy to overlook the skills you acquire while youre in the thick of things, so write down skills you gain, committees you serve on, conferences you attend, and accolades you earn in real time. This way, you can select which of your accomplishments you want to feature on specific resumes. If youre not doing this now, theres no time like the present to begin. Your future self will definitelythank you.Kayla Heisler is an essayist and Pushcart Prize-nominated poet. She is a contributing writer for Color My Bubble. Her work appears in New Yorks Best Emerging Poets anthology.A version of this post previously appeared onFairygodboss, the largest career community that helps women get the inside scoop on pay, corporate culture, benefits, and work flexibility. Founded in 2015, Fairygodboss offers company ratings, job listings, discussion boards, and career advice.