How to Create a Healthy Job Search Routine (part 2)
- Farera Helery
- 20 hours ago
- 3 min read
You found your spot where to job search. You're here, laptop open, ready to start.
But job searching is a journey without a clear ending day. And even if you have endless hours available, the process can quickly drain your energy and leave you exhausted and unmotivated.
In Part 2, we're talking about time. Specifically — how to use less of it, and get more out of it.
Why You're Productive Less Time You Think
We often think that sitting in front of the computer equals productivity, and then wonder why nothing moves forward, even though we spent the whole day "doing something.”
But being busy doesn't mean using time wisely. I once ran a small experiment to test that and used a time tracking tool Toggl to see how much time I actually spent job searching and what exactly I did during that time.
Here's what I realised:
I'm not as busy as I think
I'm doing many unnecessary things
My real productive time was around 3-4 hours a day. The rest was "doing stupidities" - constant checking, refreshing, staring at the screen, basically waiting for a miracle.
But as it turns out...this is completely normal 🙊.
Research keeps pointing to the fact that most people can only stay truly productive for 2–4 hours a day.
UK-based workplace data (MyHours) reveals the average employee is actively productive for 2 hours and 53 minutes.
Productivity researcher Anders Ericsson found that top performers (musicians writers) max out at 3 to 4 hours of deep, focused work before mental fatigue sets in.
Therefore, job searching all day long isn't wise...it just burns you out.
Limit Your Job Search to 3 Hours a Day
In my job search club, I decided to test what science says and created a small experiment - job seekers were asked to limit their job search time to a maximum of 3 hours a day.
You can read more about what this experiment brought along, but if I'd sum it up:
No, job seekers didn't feel they needed more time
Some couldn't even use the full 3 hours
Limiting time created space for life - people remembered they have other things to do, and a life to live*
*This is where most job seekers go wrong. They feel guilty taking breaks as they "should" be job searching all the time. But taking care of your wellbeing is not a luxury. Your brain needs breaks to function at its best.
Find Your Prime Time
Once you block out those 3 hours, the next step is choosing when to use them. It's pointless to force yourself to be creative at 9:00 if you just woke up at 8:45.
Ask yourself: When are my prime hours for focus, concentration, writing or searching?
The answer is simple:
morning
afternoon
evening
late at night
Choose one slot, or combine them if needed.
If you get distracted easily, tend to postpone things, or struggle with getting started - you might need some extra help to squeeze the best out of those 3 hours. So here are some helpful tools for you.
Time Management Techniques Worth Trying
The Pomodoro Technique 🍅
Set a timer for 25 minutes and focus exclusively on the task you need to get done. You will not get up in between to check laundry, watch Instagram reels or listen to Whatsapp audios. It's tempting - I know. But this time try to say no.
After 25 minutes, take a 5-minute break, then repeat the cycle.
This works especially well for short tasks you keep postponing and for perfectionists (🙋♀️) who struggle to stop tweaking their CV or cover letter. The timer gives you permission to stop.
The 52/17 Rule
The basics are the same, but this time you work for 52 minutes, then take a 17-minute break. Then repeat.
Wellbeing Inspiration 🍃
Don't skip the pause. Sometimes I do, because I feel in flow. But 99,9% I always regret it.
Scrolling social media during the break feels tempting after focused work. But your body and mind will say a big thank you if you use that time to rest or stretch instead. You spend a lot of time at a desk while job searching, and a good stretch for your tight shoulders and neck makes a real difference by the end of the day.
I'll leave you one of my favourite routines here for an inspiration:
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