How to Save 20+ Hours on Job Applications Each Week

Want to stop wasting time on endless job applications? Here's the brutal truth: You're spending 31 minutes per application and 11 hours weekly just searching for jobs.

Here's what you'll learn to cut your application time in half:

The key steps:

1. Set up automation tools like JobCopilot or LazyApply
2. Create master templates for resumes and cover letters
3. Use a simple tracking spreadsheet
4. Skip applications older than 60 days
5. Focus on employee referrals (15x better success rate)

Quick facts:

• Each corporate job gets 250+ applications
• You need 21-80 applications for one offer
• 61.7% get interviews within first 10 applications
• Most people quit long applications after 20 minutes

Bottom line: Stop manually applying to every job. Use these tools and systems to cut your application time from 31 to 15 minutes each. Focus on fresh postings and employee referrals for best results.

Related video from YouTube

Why Job Applications Take So Much Time

Here's what makes job applications such a time sink in 2024:

The math isn't pretty: You'll spend about 31 minutes on EACH application. And that's if everything goes smoothly.

What Slows You Down

Here's what's eating up your time:

You type the same info over and over. Every. Single. Time.

Companies make you create new accounts just to apply. (Why?)

Tests are everywhere - 76% of companies now use them.

The interview process? It drags on for 23.9 days on average.

And don't forget tweaking your resume for each job's keywords.

Today's Application Headaches

The old ways of applying just don't work anymore:

"Why not wait to ask for references when you reach the offer stage? You don't need to add that information burden to candidates when a high percentage won't make it to an offer." - Tiffani Murray, Talent Management Systems Manager at Pulte Group

The Real Cost to Your Job Search

These slow applications hit where it hurts:

Most people can only submit 15 applications per week.

It now takes 247 days to land a job.

You're competing with 5.2 other people for each role.

Only 8.4% of applications lead to interviews (down from 12%).

And 60% of people just give up on long applications.

Bottom line: You need 294 applications to land a job in 2024. At 31 minutes each, that's 152 hours of form-filling. That's like working a full-time job... just to find a job.

Build a Better Application System

Here's how to cut your application time in half:

Set Up Your Workspace

Create a dedicated spot for your job search:

Keep your phone ready for employer calls. Turn OFF those social media pings.

Set up your space with:

• A quiet spot
• Two screens (if you can)
• Chargers close by
• Chrome autofill extensions
• Job tracking sheets

Core Documents

These files will speed up EVERY application:

Name your files like this:

Company_Role_Document_YYYYMMDD
Example: Google_PM_Resume_20240115

"Most job seekers get stuck because they don't have a system. They're all over the place." - Jeff Sanders, productivity expert

Two Time-Saving Tools:

• Teal's Job Tracker: Bookmark jobs, track apps, tweak docs
• Scale.jobs: They'll handle applications while you network

Here's the thing: Spend 2-3 hours setting this up NOW, and you'll save 20+ hours EVERY WEEK after.

Use Tools to Speed Up Applications

Want to cut your application time in half? Here's how:

Job Application Services

These services do the heavy lifting for you:

Here's what Helen Ng, a Customer Success Rep, says about JobCopilot:

"Searching for jobs feels much less stressful with JobCopilot. I don't need to sit in front of my computer all day applying for jobs."

Tools That Work

Let's break down the top performers:

The data speaks for itself:

• 44% of users land jobs faster with AI tools
• 82% of millennials use AI in their job hunt
• It takes 50-100 applications to get 1 interview

Project Manager Shay Jasper shares:

"Just signed up for Teal+ and spent the last two hours exploring the benefits. Here's to Teal helping me land my next opportunity!"

Here's the thing: Don't use more than 2 tools. Pick ONE main tool and ONE backup. That's it.

What it costs:

• LazyApply: $99-249 lifetime access
• Teal: $9/week for premium features
• Other tools: $15-30 monthly

Pick tools that match your field. Developers need GitHub integration. Designers need portfolio features. Simple as that.

Make Applications Faster

Here's how to cut down your application time:

Quick Application Methods

Here's the thing: Most people waste HOURS scrolling through jobs that don't fit. Instead, set up specific alerts for your exact job titles.

Want to save even MORE time? Do this:

• Link your CV to your LinkedIn profile
• Only write cover letters for jobs you REALLY want
• Create 3-4 CV versions for different roles
• Group similar jobs (like all marketing roles on Mondays)

Keep Track of Progress

You need ONE system to track everything:

Here's what works:

• Check job alerts with your morning coffee
• Do ALL your follow-ups in one sitting
• Wait 14 days before following up
• Log applications right after you submit

Here's a fact: FlexJobs found that organized job seekers spend 40% less time searching. You just need one spreadsheet, one calendar, and one system.

But here's the catch: Moving fast doesn't mean getting sloppy. Always check your application before hitting that submit button.

Pick the Right Jobs

Let's help you spot good and bad job posts in seconds.

Here's what job listings tell you - if you know where to look:

Here's the thing: Old job posts are like milk past its date. If it's been sitting there for months, something's off.

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Match Your Skills Fast

Want better results? Here's what matters most:

Here's a shortcut: Tools like CiiVSOFT can match your skills to job posts in seconds.

Want to move even faster? Do these things:

• Check out LinkedIn profiles of people doing the job now
• Visit the company's real website
• Ask about pay right away
• Don't touch posts asking for free work

"When skills and culture click, everyone wins" - Kati Lechner, Wonderlic

Bottom line: SHRM says a bad hire costs 6-9 months of salary to fix. A few minutes of screening now saves headaches later.

Keep Quality While Working Faster

Want to work faster WITHOUT making mistakes? Here's how:

Check Your Work

Take 5 minutes to review these key points before you hit submit:

"Take the extra five minutes to give everything one final check. It's more than worth it to avoid simple mistakes that could cost you the job." - Josh Millet, CEO of Criteria

Speed + Quality = Success

Here's something scary: The US Department of Labor says bad hires cost 30% of first-year salary. But you can move fast AND do great work:

Here's a secret: Tools like Scale.jobs let virtual assistants handle basic applications while you focus on networking. They'll create custom resumes and cover letters, saving you HOURS each week.

"Good things come to those who wait. Don't let speed dictate your job search." - Abby Carter, Content Marketing Manager of Leoforce

Bottom line? Each job posting gets 250 resumes. Those extra 5 minutes checking your work can make the difference between getting noticed or getting ignored.

Extra Ways to Save Time

Here's something that might shock you: 50-80% of jobs get filled through networking, NOT through job boards.

Let me break that down:

"If you've been applying to opening after opening and not getting any bites... it could be because referred candidates are snagging the roles first." - The Muse

Here's what to do RIGHT NOW:

• Email your friends/family about your job search
• Turn on LinkedIn notifications for job changes
• Join LinkedIn industry groups
• Use Shapr or Weave to meet new contacts

Make Your System Work Harder

Here's a number that matters: candidates with referrals are 15x more likely to get hired compared to job board applications.

Want to save even MORE time? Do this:

• Set up email filters for job alerts
• Create saved searches on job boards
• Track your referrals in a spreadsheet
• Use Scale.jobs for basic applications

Here's what the data shows:

• 85% of recruiters check LinkedIn
• 80% say referrals make the best hires
• 15x better odds with referrals

Bottom line: Stop sending endless applications. ONE good referral beats 50 cold applications. Every. Single. Time.

Track and Improve Results

Here's what makes a job search work (and what doesn't):

The numbers don't lie: 60% of job seekers drop out of long applications (SHRM data). That's why you need to track what works.

Here's what to measure in your spreadsheet:

• How long each application takes
• Your weekly application count
• Number of callbacks you get
• Which job boards get results

Got bad numbers? Here's how to fix them:

Quick tip: Skip applications with 45+ screening questions. Indeed's data shows 88.7% of people drop these anyway.

Track these 6 things:

• When you applied
• Company name
• Job title
• Where you stand
• Follow-up dates
• Must-have skills

Here's why this matters: 98% of Fortune 500 companies use ATS systems. Keep your tracking simple and focused, just like they do.

FAQs

How to make a spreadsheet to track job applications?

Want to track your job hunt without the headache? Here's a simple spreadsheet setup that works:

Here's how to set it up in 5 minutes:

1. Pick your tool: Google Sheets or Excel
2. Copy these columns: Just paste them in
3. Add sorting: Use filters to organize entries
4. Color code status:
   • Green = Active
   • Yellow = Waiting
   • Red = Rejected

Want to save time? Teal's Chrome extension pulls job details from 50+ job boards straight into your sheet.

"Teal makes the process smooth by easily tracking saved jobs across various job boards and organizing in one place." - Kara Rambaud, Lead Generation Marketing Manager

Your sheet needs these basics:

• Date sorting
• Status tracking
• Follow-up dates
• Contact info
• Application URLs

Keep it simple: Update your sheet after each application or status change. That's it. No fancy stuff needed - just the facts that help you stay on top of your job search.

Related posts

• Job Search Automation: A Guide for Busy Professionals
• Resume vs Cover Letter: Which Deserves More Time?
• 5 Signs You Need Help With Your Job Search
• Common Job Search Questions: Expert VA Answers