Long Job Applications Got You Down? Work Smarter, Not Harder

Does it feel like some online job applications are asking for your life story, three letters of recommendation,

and the name of your childhood pet – just to hit “Submit”? You’re not alone. Lengthy, tedious job

applications are a top frustration for candidates. It’s 2025, yet we’re still stuck filling out endless forms that

repeat what’s already on our resume. If long applications have you screaming into your pillow, let’s talk

about how to cope and work smarter, not harder in your job search.

The Problem: Many companies have application portals that require you to manually enter every job, every

skill, sometimes even essay questions. After spending an hour, you often get an automated “Thank you” and

then…silence. It’s demoralizing. In fact, a lot of great candidates quit midway if an application is too long or

complex – a lose-lose for everyone. Why do they make it so cumbersome? Often it’s because of old HR

systems or a misguided attempt to filter candidates by testing their commitment. But frankly, a drawn-out

process just means companies risk losing qualified applicants who don’t want to waste time.

Work Smarter Tip #1: Prioritize and Pick Your Battles. Not every job is worth a 2-hour application. Save

your energy for positions that really excite you or match your skills well. If a company makes you jump

through hoops, be sure the role is one you truly want. It’s perfectly okay to decide that a 10-page

application for a mediocre-fit job isn’t worth it. Focus on opportunities where your effort-to-reward ratio is

better.

Work Smarter Tip #2: Keep a “Application Cheat Sheet.” Create a document on your computer with all

those common details applications ask for: your past job titles, dates, duties, your references’ contact info,

answers to typical questions like “Why do you want this job?” Having this at your fingertips can cut down the

time spent copying and pasting (and reduce errors). Think of it as your personal template. Some people

even keep multiple versions of short answer responses (like one for “Tell us about yourself” or “Describe a

challenge you overcame”) that they can tweak as needed. This turns tedious typing into a quick drag-and-

drop.

Work Smarter Tip #3: Bypass the Long Forms When You Can. Here’s an insider trick: find a real person

whenever possible. Instead of only applying through the portal, see if you can email your resume directly to

a recruiter or the hiring manager with a brief cover note. Sometimes job postings list a contact email – use

it. Or send a polite LinkedIn message expressing enthusiasm and noting that you’ve applied. This doesn’t

guarantee a response, but it can sometimes shortcut the black box and get your info in front of a human.

Worst case, they ignore it; best case, they pull your application from the pile.

Work Smarter Tip #4: Use Platforms That Simplify the Process. The hiring world is slowly catching up

with candidate frustrations. New tools are making it easier to apply without endless forms. One example is

Jobz, which flips the script: instead of making you fill out a gazillion fields, it lets you apply with a quick profile and a short video response. That’s it – no repetitive data entry. And because Jobz is a screening

platform (not a typical ATS), recruiters using it have already trimmed down their process to focus on what

matters (like your communication skills and genuine interest, not whether you remembered your exact

GPA). It’s faster for you and for them.

At the end of the day, a long application might be worth it for your dream job – but it shouldn’t be the norm

for every application you do. Value your time. By being strategic about which applications to invest in and

leveraging techniques to streamline the process, you can conserve your energy for what really counts:

preparing for interviews, networking, and refining your skills. Working smarter means you apply to fewer

roles but with higher quality – and that can actually boost your chances of landing something great, without

burning out in the process.