The job search can often feel like a marathon you didn’t sign up for, where the finish line keeps moving and the “refresh” button on your email is your only friend. But here’s the thing: You don’t need to spend eight hours a day staring at a flickering screen to make progress. In fact, it’s often a one-way ticket to Burnout City.
Consistency trumps intensity every time. If you have 15 minutes between meetings, while making coffee, or before watching Netflix, you have enough time to move forward.
Here are 10 high-impact things you can do in 15 minutes or less to stay motivated.
1. “Ghosts of Past Jobs” Check-in
Reach out to a former coworker or boss just to say hello. No “I need a job” desperation – just a sincere “Saw this post/project and thought of you. Hope you’re doing well.”
Why it works: It keeps you top of mind. When a position opens up in their department next week, your name is fresh.
2. Optimize for a specific skill on LinkedIn
Don’t try to rewrite your entire profile. Instead, choose one skills or achievements and perfect them. Add specific metrics (e.g., “Increase team effectiveness by 15%”) or update the “About” section with a powerful opening that sounds like it was written by a human.
3. Set up (or refine) three highly specific job alerts
If your alerts are for “Marketing Managers” you’re getting too much noise. Take 15 minutes to tighten the filter. Add keywords such as “Remote,” specific software (such as “HubSpot”), or seniority level. Let the robot do the heavy lifting of finding the right character while you sleep.
4. Make proactive recommendations
Find the profile of someone you really respect and write them a glowing, three-sentence letter of recommendation.
Ripple effect: They’ll be notified, feel great, and likely reciprocate. Plus, it shows you’re a contributor, not just an explorer.
5. “Keyword Scan” review
Find a job description you like. Copy and paste it into the word cloud generator. See which word is the biggest? Now, take a look at your resume. If these words don’t exist, spend the remaining 10 minutes weaving them into your bullet points.
6. Organize your “Goal 10” list
Success is easier when you stop aiming for the world at large. Take 15 minutes to identify 10 companies that you truly admire. Follow them on LinkedIn and set reminders anyone The company released an update. This turns a “blind search” into a “targeted mission.”
7. Clean up your digital “first impression”
Search for yourself in an incognito window. What is the first thing an HR manager sees? If it’s an old Twitter account from 2012 or a blurry photo, take 15 minutes to update your privacy settings or change to a professional avatar.
8. Draft “value-first” connection requests
Stop sending default LinkedIn invitations. Spend 15 minutes drafting a template that you can customize. Something like this: “Hello [Name]I have been following your work [Project] and like your insights [Topic]. I’d love to contact you and keep you up to date. “ It’s low stress and high grade.
9. Plan your week (the “Pomodoro” plan)
Decision fatigue is real. Take 15 minutes on Sunday night or Monday morning to decide exactly when Your job search roadblocks will occur.
Pro tip: Don’t just write “job search.” Write “Tuesday 8:00 AM: Apply for 2 positions at Target Company X.” Specificity is the antidote to overwhelming odds.
10. Record your “wins of the week”
We often forget our talents. Take 15 minutes to write down one thing you did well this week—in your current job, in a freelance project, or even in your personal life. Quantify it. Save it in a “Brag Sheet” file.
Return: When you finally sit down to write your cover letter, you won’t be staring at a blank page.
You’re not going to win a job by clicking like crazy for 40 hours a week. It’s earned in the small, disciplined gaps in your day.
Ⓒ Big Game Hunters, Asheville, NC 2026
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About Big Game Hunter Jeff Altman
People hire “Big Game Hunter” Jeff Altman to provide no-nonsense job coaching and career advice around the world because he makes your job search and career success easier.
You can find services, information and job coaching to help you find a job at: Job hunting. Community. Wherever you listen to podcasts, subscribe to No BS Job Search Advice Radio, the OG of job search podcasts with over 3,100 shows
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