How to Manage Your Job Hunt While being a full-time college student

When you’re in a job hunt, all your time is spent trying to find the right opportunities and tailoring your resume to all of them. You have little time left over to actually go on interviews or send out more applications. Even though it might not seem like it at first, this is actually good news. It means you’re taking the right steps toward a new job and career. Being able to focus on your search is also a good thing: It means you’ve eliminated all other distractions so that you can focus on one thing. The trick here is to create boundaries and limits so that you can get the maximum return from your job hunt efforts without overextending yourself. This article will help you put together a plan of attack so that you can manage your job hunt while being a full-time student with limited free time.

Set up your calendar

Resumes, cover letters, and applications are incredibly time-consuming, so if you’re trying to do everything at once you’ll get nowhere. Set up a calendar and map out your search so that you know what you’ll be doing each week. Having your calendar available on your phone or computer is great for this because you can always have it with you. The more you can automate your job hunt process, the less time you’ll have to spend thinking about it. If you’re attending school full-time, you might find that you have very little time to dedicate to your job hunt. The trick here is to prioritize your efforts. Focus on the things that will bring you results the fastest. For example, if you’re trying to improve your soft skills, those things will take longer than polishing up your resume.

Network while you study

While you’re in class, set up informational interviews with people in your industry. You could also look for online discussion boards related to your field and contribute to them as a way to network. Another option is to sign up for a volunteer position that will put you in touch with professionals in your field. All of these help you build connections that could lead to a new job. While you’re studying, you have time to research and find these opportunities. You can also use this as an excuse to reach out to people in your network for advice. Find out what challenges they overcame to get where they are today, and ask them if they have any advice for you. Having connections who can help you out can speed up your job hunt.

Build a resume-library

Resume databases are a great way to find opportunities that you might otherwise miss out on. This is particularly helpful while you’re in school since you might not have the time to go to a bunch of networking events. Here are a few of the most popular resume databases:

• Indeed: This is the most popular job board in the world. It also has a resume database that allows you to upload your resume and have it appear on other job boards.
• LinkedIn: The world’s largest professional network also has a huge resume database.
• Glassdoor: This database is designed for people who want to work for companies like Google, Microsoft, Apple, and more. These resume databases are where employers go to find people to hire. By having your resume on these websites, you’ll make it easier for employers to find you.

Interview prep time

While you’re studying, you have time to prepare for interviews. Schedule mock interviews with friends or your career services office and ask them what you could improve on. You can also use the internet to find sample interview questions and practice answering them. Another option is to use a mock interview app. These apps will help you practice and improve your interview skills. Here are a couple of mock interview apps that we recommend:

• Interview Coach: This mock interview app has over 1,500 questions that you can use to practice your interview skills.
• Interview Pro: This mock interview app has over 2,500 questions that you can use to practice your interview skills. - Interview Prep: This mock interview app has over 3,000 questions that you can use to practice your interview skills.

Single task: Resume writing

When you have a job to apply for, you usually have a deadline for the application. Try to meet that deadline and don’t wait until the last minute to finish your resume. Plan out your time and dedicate at least a few hours every day to writing your resume. You should also avoid distractions when you’re writing your resume. Turn off your phone and don’t check social media while you’re working on it.

Single task: Networking

When you’re on a job hunt, you often have to network to find opportunities. Like writing your resume, you should avoid distractions while networking. Turn off your phone and don’t check social media while you’re networking. When you’re networking, you’re not just trying to meet people in hopes that they’ll introduce you to their contacts. You’re also trying to find out what people in your field are doing. This will help you to build your skills and find out what skills you need to improve on.

Conclusion

Job searching while being a student is no easy feat. Managing your time properly and setting up boundaries will ensure you’re able to fit everything in that you need to, even if it doesn’t all get done at a reasonable time. There are many ways you can use your time to your advantage, allowing you to fit everything in that you need to and more. By optimizing your time, remaining focused on your job hunt and not getting distracted, and staying vigilant with your schedule, you can manage your job hunt while being a full-time student.