After all, when it comes to job hunting – it’s a marathon, not a sprint.

When it comes to job hunting, in order to make sure you’re seeing the best results from your efforts, you need to get into a routine when job searching.

Now, this doesn’t have to be painstaking: The key here is to make tweaks to your daily schedule so that job hunting seamlessly slips into and works around your daily routine.

Think of it as a workout – by breaking tasks down into 15-minute intervals, you can easily and effectively slot job hunting into your usual day, just like with exercising. This way you can keep yourself fit and ready to run to your next employer when that job offer comes!

So, what’s the first 15-minute interval in our job hunting workout?

Check for jobs.

6:15—6:30 a.m. (or whenever it is you wake up)

This is a great time to check to see if any jobs that you like the look of have been posted since the previous day. You should set up email alerts at this point so that any newly added jobs will be sent directly to your inbox.

Reach out to a contact.

12:00—12:15 p.m. (Once a week)

Whilst you’re in job searching mode, you should also simultaneously be in a constant networking mode too. With that being said, reach out to a colleague or a former boss whose role you’d like to learn more about and send a friendly email.

Apply online.

12:30—1:00 p.m.

Self-explanatory really, but it’s important to note here that you don’t need to set aside hours of your day to apply for jobs – simply break it down on a daily basis. Schedule time during lunch, or on your commute. You won’t feel overwhelmed by applying in this manner as opposed to in one mass session – you’ll just focus on the new and promising opportunities that have emerged from the previous day.

Follow up.

3:00—3:15 p.m.

Follow up on any of your applications and networking endeavours on a regular basis. Use your online calendar as your trustworthy follow-up tool, noting when to follow up and with whom.

Professional Development.

5:45 to 6:00 p.m.

Find time after your workday is over to work on you. Although, make sure this doesn’t hinder prime family or relaxation time. Use this time to edit your CV and practice interview questions as well as staying up-to-date through reading the latest headlines regarding the companies you’re pursuing. To give this an effortless structure, assign a theme to each day: Mondays: Interview Prep, Tuesdays: Company Research etc.

Done all of that? Great! Workout finito.