11 ways to speed up your job search

Improve your chances of finding your next job

You might have heard the saying, 'Looking for a job is a full-time job.' Although a job search needs a lot of attention and focus, it doesn't need to take up your entire day. If you have a few minutes to spare while you're sitting on the train or having a cup of coffee, you can improve your chances of finding your next job. A few moments here and there might not seem like a big deal, but over time they add up. Soon you'll realise your job search is in great shape.

Here are 11 ways you can help your job search in 5 minutes:

1. Replace the objective statement

"Replace the objective statement at the top of your CV with a branded headline that conveys your value to the reader, i.e., 'Registered nurse committed to providing safe, effective patient care," says Laurie Berenson, certified master CV writer and founder of Sterling Career Concepts LLC.

2. Connect with your network

"Connect with one person from your network with whom you haven't spoken in at least one month," Berenson advises. "Pick up the phone, too -- don't rely on emailing."

3. Update your social profiles

Keeping your social profiles accurate and fresh serves two important purposes: "First, to keep it current, but also so the activity puts your name in front of every one of your contacts as a network update on their home page," Berenson says.

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4. Conduct research

A lack of basic understanding of the agency's mission and/or philosophy shows a lack of preparation and interest," says Natasha R.W. Eldridge, founding partner and director of human resources for Eldridge Overton Educational Programs.

5. Make your voicemail more professional

"Remove ringtones and silly voicemail recordings from voicemail," Eldridge says. "I am not going to leave a professional message on the voicemail of an applicant that has music blasting as a ringtone. It shows me that job searching is not a priority."

6. Prepare for the interview

"Preparation is everything," says Bruce A. Hurwitz, president and CEO of Hurwitz Strategic Staffing Ltd. "Make up a list of the questions you do not want to be asked; then answer them in the company of a friend. Tell the friend you want honest feedback to make certain that you are giving confident, credible and professional-sounding answers. Once you are comfortable with the difficult questions you will be more than prepared for the 'easy' questions."

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7. Join industry associations

Contact and join a local professional association," says Raina Kropp, HR talent partner at Vistage International. "Sometimes you can get student or in-transition discounts. Don't be afraid to ask. These are the people you want to network with since they could be your future manager or colleague."

8. Clean up your CV

"Remove irrelevant experience from your CV," says Katie Niekrash, senior managing director of the recruitment firm Execu-Search. "While the summer after college that you spent scooping ice cream may have been the best [time] of your life, it doesn't really apply to a career in finance. Pick and choose your relevant experience, and tailor it to the job you're applying for."

9. Get your references ready

"Prepare your list of references before the interview," Niekrash says. "Once you have confirmed your two to three references, create a simple document that lists all the relevant information the employer would need to know about them: name, title, contact information, etc. Bring this document with you to all your interviews, so this way, if the hiring manager asks you for your references, you'll be prepared and look organised."

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10. Stay organised

Create a master list for all the jobs you apply for. The key to a successful job search is organisation," Niekrash says. "To do this, create an Excel spreadsheet that contains a row for each job you apply for, and include these columns: the date you applied; the company; the contact; the position for which you applied; how you applied; if, when and with whom you interviewed; when you should next follow up or what your next steps are; and the current status of the application.

Creating this document should only take a few minutes, and updating it as you proactively apply for jobs should only take a few seconds."

11. Proofread your materials

Read every piece of your job search materials -- from your CV to your social profiles—front to back, and then back to front, says Karen Southall Watts, business consultant, coach and speaker. "That's right -- read from the last sentence to the first sentence. This editing technique forces you to examine each sentence separately and keeps you from skipping over mistakes because you know what you meant to say next. By reading your material backward, you can avoid those common typos and errors that plague all of us when our brains go faster than our typing skills."

Susan Ricker is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.