The job search is a unique form of torture. Hours upon hours of cover letters, chasing references and cordial emails only to result in rejection after rejection. Or even worse, they leave you hanging. You’ve probably lost count of how many email trash bins your resume must be lying in.

Job hunting can make even the most zen of us tear their hair out. So here are some tips to make the grind that bit more manageable.

Have Some Paragraphs Prepared

When you send off enough applications, you know pretty damn well what your skills are and how they apply to whichever position you’re applying to. Captialise on the monotony by having some paragraphs of cover letters or email templates prepared, so the time spent typing can be replaced by a CTRL+V.

Obviously, don’t go sending the same cover letters to every application. Make sure to alter according to the company and position to show off that attention to detail everyone seems to love. But having the backbone ready to go can make putting together a killer application that bit smoother, and that bit less time consuming.

Think Of Your “Five Reasons”

A never-ending sea of rejection can do a number on your self-esteem and resolve. Even the most eloquently phrased quotes about never giving up can sound disingenuous when you’ve racked up enough rejections.

Actress, singer and author extraordinaire Carrie Hope Fletcher shared this system when going into auditions: think of five reasons why you don’t want the job. That way, if you get the job you’ve got a job, and if you don’t, there are already five reasons why you wouldn’t have wanted it in the first place.

No job is perfect, and finding those imperfections before sending off applications can make help soften the blow of any rejections that may come your way. Don’t fall in love with a job until you have an offer.

Get A Side Hustle

One of the worst things about applying for jobs is that it eats into hours that could be spent earning money. If your financial situation means you can’t afford to wait until you’re invited to an interview, try looking into a side hustle to keep you going.

Selling old clothes, freelancing or taking online surveys are some great ways to have some source of income while you’re searching for your next gig.

Follow Up

Probably the worst thing about job hunting is when you pour hours into an application only to never hear back. At least a rejection means they know you exist. Counteract this by making following up a part of your job application routine.

Give it a reasonable amount of time then send over a polite reminder that your cover letter and resume are somewhere in their inbox. Use your judgment to determine a “reasonable” amount of time, depending on any deadlines or dates mentioned in the application process, the bulk of the application materials, and general email etiquette.

Following up on applications not only increases the likelihood of getting a reply, it also shows potential employers that you’re proactive about getting a job.

Just don’t be the guy who spams working professionals. No one likes that guy.

The job hunt is a necessary evil we all have to grin and bear at some point in our lives. But that doesn’t mean it has to be totally soul crushing. Give some of these a go if your job search has turned especially taxing.

Happy hunting!

(Lead image: The Office/NBC)