Job Application Checklist: What to Delegate and What to Keep
Shabuddin MS
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:
Task | Delegate | Keep |
---|---|---|
Resume updates | ✓ | |
Job search | ✓ | |
Cover letters | ✓ | |
Online applications | ✓ | |
Follow-ups | ✓ | |
Career goals | ✓ | |
Company research | ✓ | |
Salary decisions | ✓ | |
Interview prep | ✓ | |
Networking | ✓ |
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
- Resume Updates: Get a pro to polish your resume. They'll make sure it shines for your industry.
- Job Search: Have someone else dig through job boards. They can find the good stuff for you to check out.
- Cover Letters: Let a writer craft these for you. They'll use your experience to match what the job needs.
- Online Applications: Those forms can eat up your time. Let an assistant handle the typing.
- 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.
- Career Goals: Only you know where you want to go. That's your call.
- Company Research: You need to know if you'll fit in. Plus, it'll help you ace those interviews.
- Salary Needs: Your money, your decision. Figure out what you need and what you're worth.
- Interview Prep: Practice makes perfect. This one's on you.
- 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:
Urgency/Importance | Urgent | Not Urgent |
---|---|---|
Important | Do it | Schedule it |
Not Important | Delegate it | Skip it |
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:
What to Consider | Why It Matters |
---|---|
Cost | Make sure you can afford it |
Experience | Find VAs who know about job hunting |
How They Communicate | Pick one that works the way you like |
When They Work | Make sure their schedule fits yours |
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:
Service | Starting Price | Who It's For |
---|---|---|
Resume Spice | $479 | Anyone from beginners to bosses |
ResumeWriters.com | $170 | Students to career changers |
TopResume | $149 | People moving up in their careers |
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:
Type of Help | How Much It Costs | What You Get |
---|---|---|
Virtual Assistants | $35 - $1,500+ per month | Save time, apply to more jobs |
Resume Writers | $100 - $700+ | Better applications, more interviews |
Job Application Services | $4+ per hour | Lots of help, save time |
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:
Tool | Best for | Key Features |
---|---|---|
Trello | Visual organizers | Customizable boards, cards, collaboration |
Asana | Complex projects | Task dependencies, timeline views |
Todoist | Simplicity seekers | Sub-tasks, labels, real-time sync |
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:
Tool | For | Top Feature |
---|---|---|
Trello | Visual folks | Custom boards |
Asana | Big projects | Task links |
Todoist | Simplicity | Live updates |
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.
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Such a great initiative and service! Applying jobs everyday has been super daunting. But now with scale jobs, one can apply 100s of jobs per day as well as focus on prep for interviews.
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I've had an exceptional experience with the Scale Jobs team, and I can't recommend them highly enough. From the outset, their dedication and enthusiasm were palpable, making a significant...
Sajia Nikita • April 01, 2024via TrustpilotGreat experience, Reliable Team, Highly Recommended
I have had a great experience with the scale.jobs team. The associate assigned for me is trustworthy and sincere in their approach. I would recommend trying out scale.jobs to anyone looking to make more time in their schedule for interview prep and networking, so that the repetitive portion of job application process can be outsourced. I personally feel it's good value for money. Would recommend setting up a call with their team if you're doubtful about whether or not the product will be useful for you. They are a really honest bunch of folks and I appreciate it so much.
Anuva Agarwal • May 18, 2024via TrustpilotReally good with applying jobs
I think they provide good assistance to apply jobs and I did get some positive responses after that. hence, I am quite satisfied with the experience of scale.jobs. There cover letters....
Neha Sawant • March 21, 2024via TrustpilotSuperb service!
Great team of people and the person that was assigned to work with me was wonderful too. Majority of the heavy lifting is done by them and they are in constant communication with you....
Adnan Lakdawala • July 01, 2023via TrustpilotDrastically reducing the burden!
Apply at scale has immensely helped me with my tedious job application process. Their team is proactive and smart. Once they understand your profile, they are good at applying.......
Mihika Srivastava • December 01, 2023via TrustpilotThey took away the work I was slacking…
They took away the work I was slacking on, which allowed me to relax and not worry about submitting my applications. I was on an extremely busy schedule.
Harish Reddy Kondapalli • January 29, 2024via TrustpilotGreat for international students
Scale.jobs has been an excellent help in applying for high volume of jobs which otherwise would be very time consuming. This is extremely useful in the current job market as a high-volume approach helped me get few interview calls which I wasn't getting earlier. Also, they keep bringing in new features such as the networking tool. Excited to try it out!
Shobhit Datta • May 31, 2024via TrustpilotGreat service to save time while interviewing
Great service to save time while interviewing. I have been using it for a week. The support is nice and turnaround is within 24 hours. Price point maybe on the expensive side, but you pay for the time it saves to create accounts on several sites and apply jobs.
Hemil P • May 20, 2024via Trustpilotextremely helpful in this challenging…
I've been using Scale.jobs, and it has been an incredibly useful tool for my job search. The platform's intuitive design and user-friendly interface make it easy to navigate through various job listings. I appreciate the detailed job descriptions and the ability to filter positions based on my preferences. The application process is streamlined, saving me a lot of time. Overall, Scale.jobs has significantly enhanced my job search experience, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for new opportunities.
Avinash Amudala • May 28, 2024via TrustpilotGood service to save some time from job applications
So far, my experience has been positive. I have been using their service for 2 months and am looking forward to continuing.
Hari Vilas • May 19, 2024via TrustpilotSuch a great service!
Such a great initiative and service! Applying jobs everyday has been super daunting. But now with scale jobs, one can apply 100s of jobs per day as well as focus on prep for interviews.
Sona Tambe • Apr 15, 2024via TrustpilotI've had an exceptional experience
I've had an exceptional experience with the Scale Jobs team, and I can't recommend them highly enough. From the outset, their dedication and enthusiasm were palpable, making a significant...
Sajia Nikita • April 01, 2024via TrustpilotGreat experience, Reliable Team, Highly Recommended
I have had a great experience with the scale.jobs team. The associate assigned for me is trustworthy and sincere in their approach. I would recommend trying out scale.jobs to anyone looking to make more time in their schedule for interview prep and networking, so that the repetitive portion of job application process can be outsourced. I personally feel it's good value for money. Would recommend setting up a call with their team if you're doubtful about whether or not the product will be useful for you. They are a really honest bunch of folks and I appreciate it so much.
Anuva Agarwal • May 18, 2024via TrustpilotReally good with applying jobs
I think they provide good assistance to apply jobs and I did get some positive responses after that. hence, I am quite satisfied with the experience of scale.jobs. There cover letters....
Neha Sawant • March 21, 2024via TrustpilotSuperb service!
Great team of people and the person that was assigned to work with me was wonderful too. Majority of the heavy lifting is done by them and they are in constant communication with you....
Adnan Lakdawala • July 01, 2023via TrustpilotDrastically reducing the burden!
Apply at scale has immensely helped me with my tedious job application process. Their team is proactive and smart. Once they understand your profile, they are good at applying.......
Mihika Srivastava • December 01, 2023via TrustpilotThey took away the work I was slacking…
They took away the work I was slacking on, which allowed me to relax and not worry about submitting my applications. I was on an extremely busy schedule.
Harish Reddy Kondapalli • January 29, 2024via TrustpilotGreat for international students
Scale.jobs has been an excellent help in applying for high volume of jobs which otherwise would be very time consuming. This is extremely useful in the current job market as a high-volume approach helped me get few interview calls which I wasn't getting earlier. Also, they keep bringing in new features such as the networking tool. Excited to try it out!
Shobhit Datta • May 31, 2024via TrustpilotGreat service to save time while interviewing
Great service to save time while interviewing. I have been using it for a week. The support is nice and turnaround is within 24 hours. Price point maybe on the expensive side, but you pay for the time it saves to create accounts on several sites and apply jobs.
Hemil P • May 20, 2024via Trustpilotextremely helpful in this challenging…
I've been using Scale.jobs, and it has been an incredibly useful tool for my job search. The platform's intuitive design and user-friendly interface make it easy to navigate through various job listings. I appreciate the detailed job descriptions and the ability to filter positions based on my preferences. The application process is streamlined, saving me a lot of time. Overall, Scale.jobs has significantly enhanced my job search experience, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for new opportunities.
Avinash Amudala • May 28, 2024via TrustpilotGood service to save some time from job applications
So far, my experience has been positive. I have been using their service for 2 months and am looking forward to continuing.
Hari Vilas • May 19, 2024via Trustpilot
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Pritesh Jagani (Yudi J)
400K+ followers
Career Development Expert
Helped 10,000+ professionals accelerate their careers through strategic guidance.
Melissa Grabiner
387K+ followers
#1 HR LinkedIn Creator in US
Job Search Coach and Talent Acquisition Director with 20 years of experience.
Harnoor Singh (Singh in USA)
1.3M+ followers
Immigration Insights Leader
Demystified US immigration for over 1 million aspiring professionals.
Linda Le
584K+ followers
Job Hunt and LinkedIn Expert
Co-founder of CWI and expert in helping jobseekers land jobs.
Soundarya Balasubramani
150K+ followers
Talent Visas Expert
Author of 'Admitted', guiding countless students to top global universities.
Will McTighe
192K+ followers
Career Expert & Stanford MBA
Advises on career obstacles and writes a newsletter covering job strategies.
Sanjeev Sriram
150K+ followers
Master's Abroad Expert
Provided Insights and Everything About Pursuing Master's Abroad.
Priya Bajaj (Its Ok Yaar)
80K+ followers
Desi Immigrant Influencer
Influencer sharing relatable life abroad experiences and immigrant advice.
April Little
250K+ followers
Leadership & Executive Coach
Empowering professionals and women leaders to reach new heights.
Dear Fellow Job Seeker,
I hope this letter finds you well, though I understand if it doesn't. The current job market, especially in the US, is tough. I've been there – a recent graduate from Carnegie Mellon, suddenly laid off and thrust into one of the most stressful phases of my life.
We're told that the key to landing a job is networking and applying to hundreds of positions. But let's be honest: endlessly typing the same information into countless applications is soul-crushing. And the silence that follows? Even more so. With a 98% non-response rate, it's a wonder any of us can stay motivated.
I tried everything – auto-filling extensions, AI services, you name it. Nothing worked. In desperation, I hired a college student from India and trained them to apply on my behalf. The result? I landed a job in just 60 days.
This experience was a revelation. I realized that while we can't change the system, we can be smarter in how we navigate it. That's why I started this service – to help others like us escape the job hunt trauma.
We're not just another job application service. We're a team that understands your struggles firsthand. We're here to take the burden off your shoulders, so you can focus on what truly matters – preparing for interviews and building meaningful connections.
If you're feeling overwhelmed, know that you're not alone. And more importantly, know that there's hope. Let us help you regain control of your job search and your future.
Wishing you the very best in your journey,
Ready to transform your job search?