The rise of the internet has made job searching easier than ever in some ways—and more overwhelming in other ways. It gets harder and harder to separate real opportunities from misleading job posts. To find the job you want, you’ll need to streamline the process to target the most likely opportunities and discard the rest. Here are seven ways to do that.

Schedule your job hunt every day.

Set aside a block of time every day to work on your job search. Choose the time of day you’re most alert and active, whether that’s first thing in the morning or right after lunch. Spending a little time at the task daily will yield better results than waiting for a large chunk of free time to attack your search, particularly if you are currently employed.

Create templates, not carbon copies.

Using the same general resume for every opportunity is a recipe for failure. However, creating a basic template for emails you will send many times—such as a thank-you note following an interview—can help you focus on adding the personalized details that will make your performance memorable, rather than writing “Thank you for speaking to me today” repeatedly. Your recruiter can offer insights that can help you customize your resume to each opportunity.

Be choosy about where you search.

The proliferation of internet job boards can make it seem possibilities are endless—but it seems that it’s only quantity that has increased, not quality. Your best bet is an in-depth discussion with your recruiter about your goals and interests.

Focus only on the jobs that really interest you.

Pursuing every job opening quickly becomes exhausting. And why take the time on positions you’re not eager to accept? Instead, focus on the jobs, employers and industries that really pique your enthusiasm. This focus will help you stay engaged in your job search and shine during interviews.

Tap into your professional network.

Once a week, get together with someone in your network to touch base, talk shop and share your job search goals. Leads come from the most unlikely places, and in the meantime, you’ll build an essential social support network to maintain your morale.

Learn how to market yourself.

Knowing how to make a great impression can help you find the job you want faster. A great resume leads to interviews. A stand out interview garners job offers. Take the time to research the latest best practices for job seekers in your field. Ask your recruiter for advice on how to draft a killer resume and sharpen your interview skills.

Make the most of your recruiter relationship.

Recruiters offer a fantastic job-search resource by addressing several of the above points at once. They curate the best jobs and recommend those that fit your skills and goals. They cultivate large professional networks, and they provide feedback on your resume and interview skills.

At FootBridge Energy Services, our recruiters connect some of the best job-seeking professionals to companies in the oil and gas industries. If you’re looking for work in the energy industry, contact us today to learn how we can help you streamline your job search.