Job Application Checklist: What to Delegate and What to Keep

Want to streamline your job search? Here's what you need to know:

• Delegate: Resume updates, job searches, cover letters, online applications, follow-ups
• Keep: Setting career goals, company research, salary decisions, interview prep, networking

Why delegate? It saves time, reduces stress, and lets you focus on what matters.

Quick comparison:

Key takeaways:

• Use virtual assistants, resume writers, or job application services
• Set up a system to track your progress
• Focus on tasks that need your personal touch
• Communicate clearly with your helpers
• Keep an eye on results and adjust as needed

Ready to make your job search easier? Let's dive in.

Related video from YouTube

Breaking Down Job Application Tasks

Job hunting can be a lot. But here's the thing: you don't have to do it all yourself. Let's look at what you can hand off and what needs your personal touch.

Tasks You Can Hand Off

1. Resume Updates: Get a pro to polish your resume. They'll make sure it shines for your industry.
2. Job Search: Have someone else dig through job boards. They can find the good stuff for you to check out.
3. Cover Letters: Let a writer craft these for you. They'll use your experience to match what the job needs.
4. Online Applications: Those forms can eat up your time. Let an assistant handle the typing.
5. Follow-ups: Someone else can keep track of where your applications are at and send those "just checking in" emails.

Tasks to Do Yourself

Some things? They're all you.

1. Career Goals: Only you know where you want to go. That's your call.
2. Company Research: You need to know if you'll fit in. Plus, it'll help you ace those interviews.
3. Salary Needs: Your money, your decision. Figure out what you need and what you're worth.
4. Interview Prep: Practice makes perfect. This one's on you.
5. Networking: Making connections works best when it's personal. That's your job.

Why Splitting Tasks Helps

Sharing the load has some big perks:

• You save time for the important stuff.
• You can focus on what really matters.
• It takes some of the stress off.
• You get better results in some areas.

Here's what one job seeker said:

"I've saved hours of time by doing so, and you'd be blown away by how affordable this is."

Take scale.jobs, for example. They'll apply to jobs for you, write custom resumes and cover letters, all for $4/hour. That could cut your application time by 70%. Not bad, right?

Want to know what to delegate? Try this:

5 Tasks to Give to Others

Job hunting can be a lot. But here's the thing: you don't have to do it all yourself. Let's look at five tasks you can hand off to save time and energy:

Resume Updates and Design

Perfecting your resume? It's a time-eater. Here's a better idea: hire a pro resume writer. They can:

• Make your achievements pop
• Create a layout that's easy on the eyes
• Get your resume past those pesky ATS systems

Here's a real-life win: A client in New Jersey hired a resume pro. Result? A new job in two months with a bigger paycheck. And this was after being jobless for eight years. Talk about a smart investment.

Job Search and Listing Review

Scrolling through job boards for hours? No thanks. Try this instead:

• Use job search services to find the good stuff
• Get a virtual assistant to sort through listings
• You? Focus on the jobs that really matter

Take Nicholas, for example. He used a job leads service. He gave them ten dream companies. They gave him tailored networking questions and ten contact profiles. The result? Four phone chats in just two days.

Cover Letter Writing

Yes, you should personalize your cover letters. But starting from scratch every time? Not necessary. Here's the hack:

• Hire a writer to create a solid template
• Use services that can tweak letters for specific jobs
• Your job? Add that personal touch to each one

Online Applications

Those repetitive online forms? They're a time-suck. Here's how to dodge that bullet:

• Try services like scale.jobs. Real people apply to jobs for you
• Get a VA to fill out the standard stuff
• You just review before hitting 'submit'

Fun fact: scale.jobs charges $4/hour. That could cut your application time by 70%. Not too shabby.

Application Follow-up

Keeping tabs on applications and follow-ups can feel like a full-time gig. Here's how to handle it:

• Use tools to track your applications
• Let a VA send follow-up emails
• Set up a system to organize responses

One smart job seeker said:

"I've saved hours of time by doing so, and you'd be blown away by how affordable this is."

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5 Tasks to Handle Yourself

Some parts of your job search need your personal touch. Here are five tasks you should handle yourself:

Setting Career Goals

Your career goals are all about you. Only you know what you really want from your next job. Take time to think about what kind of work makes you happy, where you want to be in 5-10 years, and what skills you want to grow.

Write these down. It'll help you focus your search and make better choices.

Learning About Companies

Knowing about a company helps you decide if it's a good fit. It also helps you shine in interviews. Check out the company's website and social media, look up recent news about them, and see what their employees say on sites like Glassdoor.

For example, when researching Tesla, you might learn about their focus on sustainable energy and innovative car designs. This knowledge can help you tailor your application and interview responses.

Deciding on Salary Needs

Money matters, and only you know what you need. To figure out your salary needs, look up average salaries for your role on sites like Glassdoor or Payscale, think about your experience and skills, and consider your living costs and financial goals.

For instance, a software engineer in San Francisco might aim for a salary range of $120,000 to $150,000 based on their 5 years of experience and the high cost of living in the area.

Getting Ready for Interviews

Interviews are your chance to shine. Practice common questions out loud, research the company and role, prepare stories about your work experiences, and come up with questions to ask the interviewer.

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. For example, when asked about a challenging project, you might say:

"At my previous job, we needed to launch a new product in just 6 weeks. I was tasked with coordinating the development team. I set up daily stand-ups and used agile methodologies to keep us on track. We launched on time and the product exceeded our sales targets by 20% in the first quarter."

Building Professional Connections

Networking is key in job hunting. It's about building real relationships. Reach out to former colleagues or classmates, attend industry events or webinars, join professional groups on LinkedIn, and follow up with people you meet.

Here's a real-world example:

Sarah, a marketing professional, attended a digital marketing conference. She connected with three speakers on LinkedIn, commenting on their talks. Two weeks later, one of those connections led to a job interview at a top agency.

Finding the Right Help

Looking for a job can be tough. But getting some help can make it easier. Let's look at a few ways to get help with your job search.

Working with Virtual Assistants

Virtual assistants (VAs) can do a lot of the boring stuff for you. This gives you more time to network and get ready for interviews.

VAs can:

• Find job listings
• Fill out applications
• Keep track of where you've applied
• Set up interviews
• Handle your work emails

When picking a VA, think about:

Fancy Hands is good for small tasks. They charge $35 a month for three requests. Time etc is better if you need more help. They charge $380 a month for 10 hours of work.

Hiring Resume Writers

A good resume can get you noticed. Professional resume writers know how to make your experience look great.

You might want a resume writer if:

• You're not getting calls back
• You're changing careers
• You have trouble writing about your achievements

Here's a quick look at some resume writing services:

A good resume can really help. One job seeker said:

"I got three interview calls in a week after using a professional resume service. The writer knew how to show off my skills." - Sarah K., Software Engineer

Using Job Application Services

If you want even more help, try a job application service. They do a lot of the work for you.

Scale.jobs is one example. They:

• Make your resume and cover letter
• Send out your applications
• Keep track of where you've applied

They charge $4 per hour and can save you a lot of time.

Comparing Costs and Results

Different types of help cost different amounts:

Pick the one that fits your needs and budget. You could start with just a resume writer and see how it goes.

Making Your Plan Work

You've decided which tasks to delegate and which to handle yourself. Now it's time to put your plan into action. Here's how to manage your job search tasks effectively:

Setting Up Your System

Creating a clear process for managing job search tasks is key. Here's what to do:

Pick a task management tool that fits your needs. Some popular options:

Set up columns or categories for different stages of your job search (like "To Apply", "Applied", "Interview Scheduled", "Followed Up").

Input all your job search tasks, including those you're delegating. Then, assign due dates to keep yourself and your helpers on track.

Checking Work Quality

You need to make sure delegated tasks meet your standards. Here's how:

Set aside time each week to review completed work. Create a quality checklist for common tasks like resume updates or job applications. Give constructive feedback to help your assistants improve.

Clear Communication

Working well with people helping your job search is crucial. Here's what to do:

Clearly outline what you need, including deadlines and quality standards. For complex tasks, a quick video call can prevent misunderstandings. Develop email templates for common communications to save time.

Tracking Results

Keep an eye on your progress and make improvements:

Track important numbers like applications submitted per week, interview invitations received, and networking connections made.

Tools like Teal's Job Application Tracker can help you organize your search. Kara Rambaud, Lead Generation Marketing Manager, says:

"Applying for jobs is soul crushing and time consuming. Teal makes the process smooth by easily tracking saved jobs across various job boards and organizing in one place."

Regularly review your progress and tweak your approach as needed.

Next Steps

You've got a plan to split up your job search tasks. Now it's time to act. Here's what to do:

Start with your resume

A solid resume can open doors. Think about using a pro resume service. Some job seekers who did this got interviews within 1-2 days. Even career changers and new grads saw results.

Set up your system

Pick a task tool that fits you. Here's a quick look:

Delegate smart

Use services like scale.jobs for applications and cover letters. At $4/hour, it's a cheap way to save time.

Focus on what matters

Spend time on tasks only you can do. Massimo Chieruzzi, Co-Founder of Breadcrumbs, says:

"Early on, you have limited time, resources, and skills. Focus them on what adds real value and builds your unique edge."

Talk clearly

When working with resume writers or assistants, be specific. Dave Shanley, CEO of Content Camel, advises:

"Good projects need clear communication. Write down everything you expect from the relationship and work."

Watch your progress

Keep track of your applications, interviews, and network contacts. Tools like Teal's Job Application Tracker can help.

Be flexible

Check your process often. If something's not working, change it.

Related posts

• Job Search Automation: A Guide for Busy Professionals
• Top 8 Job Application Tasks You Can Delegate Today
• DIY vs Delegated Job Search: A Cost-Benefit Analysis