There’s an old adage that says “there are no shortcuts in life,” but when it comes to job searching, there certainly are a lot of hacks that can save you time and help you land your next gig. Whether you’re looking to speed up your application process or improve the quality of your resume, these seven unconventional hacks can help you land that dream job faster.
1. Use a free tool to track every single job you apply for.
Job hunting can be overwhelming, and keeping track of all your applications can feel like a full-time job in itself. Use a free tool such as JibberJobber to keep track of everything—from each company that you apply to, to the specific position that you applied for, to when you sent in your cover letter and resume. This can save you a ton of time by tracking and reminding you of all the jobs that you have submitted your materials to.
2. Build a professional online presence.
Having a solid website can make all the difference when it comes to finding a new job. Not only does it give you a place to showcase your skills and experience, but it also allows employers to easily find information about you, such as contact details, past projects and accomplishments, and your social media profiles. Having this information readily available can also help speed up the process, as it will reduce the amount of time recruiters and hiring managers spend trying to get in touch with you.
3. Build a list of job-related Twitter accounts to follow.
Whether you know it or not, social media is one of the best tools you can use when looking for a new job—if used correctly. Many recruiters post the types of jobs they are looking for on their Twitter feeds, and if you follow the right people, you can quickly find out about new opportunities that come up. You might even end up talking to a former roommate who works at your dream company, or a friend of a friend who has an uncle who runs a business in your industry.
4. Customize your cover letter and resume for each job you apply to.
The one-and-done resume is a thing of the past—both applicant tracking systems and human recruiters are more discerning than ever before, and it’s important to tailor your resume to each job you apply to. By including keywords that are relevant to the position and reorganizing your experience into more relevant categories, you can ensure that your resume gets noticed.
5. Consider using AI to speed up your job search.
There are a number of different apps and tools you can use to accelerate your job search, from proofreading your resume and cover letter to helping you ace your interview. For example, you can take your cover letter to Grammarly and let it flag any areas where it might need improvement, or you can use ChatGPT to practice and prepare for interviews.
