Overwhelmed? Manage Your Tasks with these 5 Tips

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Businessman Biting Cables At Office For recruiters and employers, managing time and tasks efficiently can be very important. Multiple contacts, opportunities, jobs to fill, and follow up items can all make up the “to-do” list. Resumes need to be reviewed and interviews with candidates need to be scheduled, prepared for and completed. There is also connecting with clients to update on finding and filling positions efforts. Plus, you have to update colleagues, supervisors and other teammates to ensure that clients are kept happy, work is completed, and ultimately, job opportunities are filled with the right person for the work. Employers may then have training sessions, annual or regular routine reviews of employee performances and ongoing team management.

For job seekers, there are as many tasks to do and things to get done, including:

  • Reviewing job opportunities;
  • Preparing and submitting resumes for potential work;
  • Interview scheduling;
  • Preparation; and
  • Keeping meetings.

You’ll need to write cover letters, email correspondence, and potentially, coordinate references. Following up on potential opportunities and completed interviews are also in the mix for job seekers.

For both recruiters/employers and job seekers, staying on top of it all is important and can reflect on individuals and his or her work. It can be a challenge to do and maintain all these tasks, let alone do them well. Losing track of what has to be accomplished can mean missing potential leads, opportunities and connections.

In today’s job market, whether you are seeking a job or trying to fill one, quick, professional and efficient work throughout the process can make or break success. Below are five quick task and project management skills to help you manage what’s on your plate with greater efficiency and ease:

1. Designate a notebook, white board or calendar for your tasks. Putting what you’ve got to do in one simple, easy to reach place is key. Not only will it designate a go-to place for what you need to get done, it’ll help you better manage duties and while providing organization. Technology tools like Google documents or calendars can also be used if you prefer. There are also time management and list management apps downloadable to smart phones and tablets. It all depends on what works for you, but this is an important step in mastering your workload and to-do list.

2. Start at the top level. A top-level view of all you’ve got to do might seem overwhelming at first, but sitting down and making a list of all your requirements will make sure that nothing falls through the cracks or is forgotten. You’ll be able to organize the list from here to make it less daunting.

3. Prioritize! After you’ve made your large “laundry list” of tasks you need to complete, organize them in terms of priority for completion. This will help you get a sense of what is urgent and needs to be taken care of right away and what you can put off for another time.

4. Create a plan. For each task you need to do, set a plan of attack as needed. By doing so for each item, you’ll feel more in control of your time and what you’ve got to get accomplished. Even a few small notes or a slight sense of what needs to be done and when can make everything much easier.

5. Delegate! You can outsource plenty of tasks to others as needed. It can be either personal or work-related items that you’ve got to get done. Hire a helping hand using micro-help sites or dictating to your team or other staff can free up your time, enabling you to focus on other high-priority tasks.

Regardless of what side of the employment process you are on, good time management, organization, and attention to detail can help you attain success. Once you get a good system in place, and establish the right organizational habits, you’ll find that getting the job done is easier than ever.

By Aric Franzmeier