At Jobedge, we have participants from all walks of life, each with individual goals they are working towards. For our participants looking for work while completing a university or training course, we often hear the question: “How do I balance job search and studies at the same time?”   

Our team of Jobedge Mentors understands that keeping track of your studies and job search can feel like a balancing act. Carolyn Mounce, resident psychologist at Jobedge, believes finding the right balance between these two focuses is important. Building your skills in priority setting and time management is essential to creating a functional and sustainable routine.  

To build job searching and study habits that become a part of your day, read through the advice listed below, as recommended by Carolyn.

Start the day right

If you’re always short on time to maintain your commitments, consider starting your day earlier. Set an alarm 30 minutes before you usually wake up, even if you don’t get out of bed immediately. Block out your morning to allow time to make a start on your tasks before engaging in social or leisure activities. The key to seeing more results is to start your job search or study earlier in the day.

Put down the phone

Although it can be tempting, phones often provide a major distraction to your ability to focus. If you want to see more progress in your study, prepare yourself for a two-hour window without a phone by loading up your music and replying to messages ahead of time. For job searching, you may need to answer a call for potential opportunities, but if the phone isn’t ringing, look for work through online platforms on your computer or laptop.  

Need an extra hand? Look for productivity apps that prevent you from using your phone for a specified time.

Set and forget

Planning out your day is a great way to create and build habits, and this can be planned around upcoming study projects and homework. At the start of each week, spend 10-20 minutes carving out the time needed for assessments and projects, factoring in regular breaks. An easy way to allow enough time to look for work is to block out the same amount of time each day. Once you have a schedule written up, set your alarms to keep track of each time block throughout the day.  

Remember to start with the most important task first to ensure all commitments are given the necessary attention.

The Pomodoro Technique

Our last pro tip, The Pomodoro Technique, is named after a tomato kitchen timer. It is designed for those whose attention spans work best in short bursts and need variety in the day. When you’re ready to sit down for some work or study, set a timer for between 20 and 50 minutes, focusing on your current task in a short sprint. This method works by keeping your mind active and avoiding that stale feeling that sometimes comes with working on something for too long. For best results, plan up to four daily tasks and rotate through each until completed. 

In your job search and study journeys, it’s essential to look after yourself and take regular breaks to meet your needs. Looking for work and keeping up with studies are significant commitments, and our Jobedge team is ready and willing to support participants across Adelaide in managing their time and lightening the load.

How Jobedge Can Help

Our Jobedge Mentors are experts in reaching your job goals and helping you realise your full potential. 

As an organisation, Jobedge aims to Progress Together. We are committed to collaborative and inclusive discussions with all job seekers, our stakeholders, our local South Australian Community and at every level inside our organisation. 

If you’re looking for advice and support in balancing your commitments, get in touch with us today. 

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