A hiring expert advises against wasting time on certain tasks when applying to a job, and suggests prioritizing these 4 things instead.

There are numerous ways to apply for jobs, including general job boards like LinkedIn and Indeed, industry-specific sites like Levels.fyi for tech workers, and platforms catering to specific interests and demographics, such as Handshake for recent grads, Ladders for six-figure jobs, and FlexJobs for remote roles.

Rewritten: "To apply directly to a company's career page, you can visit their website and look for the 'Careers' or 'Job Opportunities' section."

According to Donald Knight, chief people officer at Greenhouse, the hiring platform, the abundance of platforms and technology used to simplify the job application process makes it "almost too effortless" to apply to multiple jobs at once.

Job-search burnout can result from making hiring more accessible and efficient, according to Knight.

Knight explains to CNBC Make It that while it used to take 40 steps to complete an application, most people can now do it in less than seven steps, which takes only 45 seconds.

Hundreds of job-seekers have publicly stated that they applied to numerous jobs without receiving any responses.

To help you focus your job search and stand out from the competition, he provides five steps.

1. Lean on referrals

Knight states that the ease of applying to jobs has resulted in a significant increase in applications per role, many of which are of poor quality.

Greenhouse data shows that the average Greenhouse job received 228 applications in February 2024, a 45% increase from February 2023. Meanwhile, recruiters are busier than ever, with an average of nearly 400 applications per month in January 2024, up from an average of 184 per month in the previous year.

Knight suggests that a referral can help an applicant stand out to recruiters who are overwhelmed with applications.

Can you obtain a referral from someone who works at the company, such as a former colleague or someone you've networked with in the past? They may also receive a referral bonus.

2. Make a personal connection

It's a nice touch to connect with the recruiter or hiring manager alongside your application, Knight advises.

I have recently submitted my application for the role you posted on your website.

Nolan Church, a former Google and DoorDash recruiter, confirms the practice. He previously stated to CNBC Make It that while at DoorDash, CEO Tony Xu would receive such emails and forward them directly to him. He adds that "probably 90% of the time, we took calls with those people."

3. Be selective

Applying for a job quickly doesn't necessarily mean it's worth the effort.

Knight advises candidates to choose their job applications carefully and avoid applying for positions they don't truly desire, as it could be a waste of time for all parties involved.

Prioritize your job applications based on what you most want from a new employer, such as a better role and manager, flexible work, or better benefits.

4. Tailor your resume

Tailoring your resume to each job application is still valuable, and AI tools like ChatGPT can assist by matching and prioritizing job opening details that align with your experience.

Make sure to proofread and ensure your materials are genuine.

Knight states that recruiters prioritize candidates who have put thought into their application and resume and make them look most relevant.

5. Don't try to game the system

One important thing to remember is to avoid using AI to manipulate the application process.

A majority of job seekers, 57%, believe that including parts of the job description on their resume will increase their chances of being seen by hiring tech, according to a Greenhouse survey.

"Don't waste your time doing this," Knight says.

Farah Sharghi, a tech recruiter, previously advised against using "white fonting" as "bad advice." She stated that applicant tracking systems do not filter resumes based on keywords, and once a human intervenes and reads the text, they'll quickly see that the job description has been lifted to pad your resume.

Knight suggests an alternative approach: instead of following the method, he advises highlighting your skills and using the same language as the job description.

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