AI Job Search Planner (2026) — Weekly Applications & To-Do List

Plan your job search week by week: set application goals, track progress, and follow a simple strategy that reduces overwhelm.

✓ Weekly goals ✓ Daily tasks ✓ Built for real job searches

Build your plan (preview)

You'll be asked to sign in to save your plan, track progress, and set reminders.

Generate Weekly Plan

What you'll get

🎯

Weekly goal

10 applications with clear targets

📋

Daily to-do list

Monday–Friday breakdown

🔔

Follow-up schedule

Automated reminders

💼

Interview prep blocks

Time for practice & research

📊

Metrics review

Weekly progress checklist

🤝

Networking tasks

Referrals & warm intros

What is a job search planner?

A job search planner turns an overwhelming job hunt into a weekly system: goals, tasks, follow-ups, and reviews.

It helps you stay consistent, avoid missed follow-ups, and improve conversion from applications → interviews → offers.

Instead of randomly applying when you see a job posting, a planner gives you structure: how many applications per week, when to follow up, when to practice interviews, and when to review what's working.

A simple 2026 job search strategy (weekly framework)

1. Applications (volume + quality)

Apply to 5–20 roles per week, but tailor your resume and cover letter for the best matches.

Use Resume JD Match to optimize each application.

2. Networking (referrals + warm intros)

Reach out to 3–5 people per week. Referrals increase your interview rate by 3–5x.

Track every conversation in your job application tracker.

3. Interview practice (behavioral + technical)

Spend 1–2 hours per week practicing. Don't wait until you get interviews—it's too late.

Use STAR Answer Generator to prep stories.

Default weekly time allocation

60%
Applications + tailoring
25%
Networking
15%
Interview prep

Weekly application goals that are realistic

5/week
Light

For passive searchers or those with limited time

10/week
Standard ⭐

Balanced approach with quality tailoring

15–20/week
Aggressive

For urgent searches or high-volume roles

Important: Your goal isn't just a number. Each application should include:

Weekly job search planner template (copy & paste)

Use this template to structure your week. Adjust based on your goal and available time.

Monday
  • • Choose target roles for the week
  • • Shortlist 10–15 job postings
  • • Tailor resume for 2 priority roles
Tuesday
  • • Apply to 2–3 jobs
  • • Reach out to 2 referrals or connections
  • • Update job tracker with new applications
Wednesday
  • • Apply to 2–3 jobs
  • • 30-minute interview practice (behavioral or technical)
  • • Research companies for upcoming applications
Thursday
  • • Apply to 2–3 jobs
  • • Follow-ups from last week's applications
  • • Prepare for any scheduled interviews
Friday
  • • Review weekly metrics (applications, responses, interviews)
  • • Fix weak points (resume, cover letter, targeting)
  • • Prep next week's target list

Weekly checklist

☐ 10 applications submitted
☐ 6 resumes tailored
☐ 4 cover letters written
☐ 5 networking messages sent
☐ 8 follow-ups completed
☐ 2 interview practice sessions

Sample AI job search plan (example)

Software Engineer — 10 applications/week

📝 Applications

  • • 10 applications total
  • • 6 tailored resumes
  • • 4 cover letters (priority roles)
  • • ATS check for all applications

🤝 Networking

  • • 5 LinkedIn messages
  • • 2 coffee chats scheduled
  • • 1 referral request

💼 Interviews

  • • 2 mock interview sessions
  • • 5 STAR stories prepared
  • • 3 technical problems practiced

🔔 Follow-ups

  • • 8 follow-ups scheduled
  • • 3 thank-you notes sent
  • • Weekly tracker review

Time commitment: ~10 hours/week (2 hours/day Mon–Fri)

Common job search planning mistakes

Tracking only applications, not follow-ups

Most opportunities need 2–3 touchpoints. Use a job application tracker to schedule follow-ups.

No weekly review

If you don't review what's working, you'll repeat the same mistakes. Set aside 30 minutes every Friday.

Applying without tailoring

Generic resumes get rejected. Use Resume JD Match to tailor each application.

Ignoring networking/referrals

Referrals increase your interview rate by 3–5x. Allocate 25% of your time to networking.

No interview practice until you get interviews

By then it's too late. Practice weekly with STAR Answer Generator.

Skipping ATS optimization

70% of resumes never reach a human. Check your ATS score before applying.

Job search planner FAQ

How do I create a job search plan?

Start with a weekly goal (5–20 applications), break it into daily tasks, and allocate time for applications (60%), networking (25%), and interview prep (15%). Use our planner tool to generate a custom plan based on your target role and available time.

How many jobs should I apply to each week?

For most people, 10 applications/week is the sweet spot. It's enough to make progress but allows time to tailor each resume and cover letter. If you're in an urgent search, aim for 15–20/week. Quality matters more than quantity.

Is it better to apply more or tailor more?

Tailor more. A tailored resume has a 3–5x higher interview rate than a generic one. Aim for at least 60% of your applications to have a customized resume. Use our Resume JD Match tool to speed up tailoring.

When should I follow up after applying?

Follow up 5–7 days after applying if you haven't heard back. For interviews, send a thank-you note within 24 hours and check in after 1 week if they don't provide a timeline. Track all follow-ups in your job application tracker.

How do I track resume versions per job?

Use a naming convention like "Resume_v3_SWE_Google" and log it in your tracker. This is crucial for interview prep—you'll know exactly what the hiring manager is looking at. Our job tracker has a dedicated field for resume versions.

What should I do if I'm not getting interviews?

Check three things: (1) Is your resume ATS-optimized? Use our ATS checker. (2) Are you tailoring to each JD? Use Resume JD Match. (3) Are you networking? Referrals increase interview rates by 3–5x.

How long should a job search take?

On average, 3–6 months for most roles. Senior positions can take 6–12 months. The timeline depends on your industry, experience level, and how many hours per week you dedicate. A structured weekly plan significantly reduces search time.

Can I use this planner for free?

Yes. You can use the template on this page for free. Sign up to save your plan, set reminders, track progress, and sync across devices. All core features are free.

Stop feeling overwhelmed—follow a weekly plan

Turn your job search into a simple weekly routine. Set goals, track progress, and get more interviews.