5 Steps to Simplify Your Job Search
There’s no need to beat around the bush — job searching can be a headache. During my time working seasonally in the outdoor industry, I found myself searching for new roles every few months. Eventually, it became almost year round. The moment I felt comfortable in one position, my term limit was looming on the horizon and I was back on the job hunt.
The constant cycle of job searching was exhausting. I would stare at my computer for hours on end, scouring different job boards, with little to show for it. I thought, “There has to be another way.” So, I made it my mission to simplify the process for myself.
Through plenty of trial and error, I settled on a few tried-and-true methods to simplify my job search for the long haul. Not only did I get to spend less time in front of the computer (and more time playing outside!), but I also started receiving more interview invitations. Through time batching and being intentional about the work I was putting in, I was creating more intriguing application documents!
Each step can stand on it’s own, but when you combine them all — phew — the results are incredible! So, start implementing these strategies today for a more simple, efficient, and intentional job search.
1. Use Outdoor + Environmental Industry Job Boards
Stop spending all of your time on Indeed and Glassdoor. Most employers within the outdoor, environmental, and conservation industries post their open opportunities to industry specific job boards. Check out my favorites here or snag the Ultimate List of Outdoor Job Boards for a comprehensive list.
2. Subscribe to Email Notifications
Take the “search” out of job searching! Once you’ve narrowed down your favorite job boards, sign up for their weekly email newsletters. This way, new opportunities get sent straight to your inbox and you don’t have to spend hours in front of the computer. Start by signing up for the Career Outdoors Newsletter here (plus you’ll get free access to the How to Land Your First Outdoor Job Webinar)!
3. Use a Spreadsheet to Stay Organized
Sometimes you’ll come up empty handed in your job search and other times there will be so many positions that it’s hard to keep track of them all! Either way, organizing the opportunities you’re excited about on a spreadsheet will eliminate questions like, “Wait - what was the name of that company with the awesome benefits?” On your spreadsheet, include a link to the job posting plus information about the company, closing date, location, and any other information you want to keep tabs on.
4. Time Batch Your “Search”
Once you have a spreadsheet of positions you’re excited about, it’s time to start applying! We tend to blur the lines between the job searching process and the application process, but to increase your efficiency (and get more results!), it’s important to differentiate the two.
The job searching process is all about finding positions that you want to apply for. It includes reviewing email newsletters, searching specific job boards, and adding exciting positions to your spreadsheet.
The application process focuses on customizing your resume and cover letter, inputting keywords, completing necessary questionnaires, and actually applying for the job.
Scrolling through job boards and crafting the perfect resume require totally different skillsets and levels of focus. Separating the two through time batching allows our brains to focus individual tasks. Every time that we switch between tasks (or multitask), our brains have to pivot and catch up. But, when we focus on one thing at a time, we can get into the “zone” and produce a better result.
When I began implementing this strategy into my own job search, I started landing more interviews because my application package was created while I was “in the zone,” not distracted by perpetual internet scrolling or searching for the next best position.
5. Stick to a Schedule
Finally, get intentional about your job search by scheduling time to focus on your career. I like to call it a “Career Date” - time dedicated to your career as a whole. This is not time spent “on-the-job.” Instead, it’s time to job search, apply for new positions, update your LinkedIn, network, or volunteer - anything that furthers your career!
Schedule a Career Date weekly. When your in a season of job searching, set aside time twice a week, for 15 minutes a piece, to job search. Add this time to your planner or Google Calendar. It’s a date — you don’t want to miss it! Learn more about weekly, monthly, and yearly career dates here.
Feel free to start small by discovering the best job boards for your future career and signing up for email notifications. Then, add in layers of organization and consistency to take your job search up a level!
Overall, there’s no need to spend 4 hours hunched over your computer every weekend. That’s not the point of an outdoor job, after all. Career Outdoors exists to guide you every step of the way so that you can spend less time stressed about your job prospects and more time making a positive impact.
Once you feel comfortable in your job searching process, make sure that you eliminate these items from your resume so that you make it into the interview room!
