How to Find a Job When Time and Money Are Tight

You don't need much time or money to find a job. A phone, a simple plan, and a few free programs can cover most of what a job search takes. This guide covers how to search fast when you only have short breaks, and where to get help with bus fare, phone bills, and other costs in Washington.

Make the most of short windows of time

If you're working, caring for family, or between shifts, you might only have 15 or 20 minutes at a time. That's enough if you set things up once.

Do the setup one time:

• Write a short summary of your work history (jobs, dates, what you did) in your phone's notes app. Copy and paste it into applications instead of retyping it.
• Write down your availability: the exact days and hours you can work. Most hourly applications ask.
• Save a simple one-page resume as a PDF on your phone, for the applications that ask for one.
• Use one email address just for job applications so replies don't get lost.

Then use short breaks to apply:

• Search by phrase. "No experience required," "will train," or "hiring now" plus the job type and your city cuts out jobs that won't hire you.
• Apply to newer postings first. Recent postings get the most attention from hiring managers.
• Batch it. Three or four quick applications in one sitting beats one long one.
• Set job alerts so new postings come to you instead of you searching every day.

Keep your phone ready:

• Set up your voicemail with your name so employers know they reached the right person.
• Check texts. Many hourly employers text to schedule interviews.

Get help with bus fare

Getting to interviews and a new job costs money. In the Puget Sound area, reduced transit fares are available.

ORCA LIFT: The LIFT card is a low-income ORCA card with reduced fares on Metro Transit, King County Water Taxi, Kitsap Transit, Seattle Streetcar and Sound Transit Link light rail. To qualify, household income must be no more than 200% of the federal poverty level.

Subsidized annual pass: Residents of King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties who are at or below 80% of the federal poverty level and enrolled in one of six state benefit programs can get a subsidized annual pass for King County Metro and Sound Transit. King County Metro describes it as a pass that lets eligible riders travel on certain transit in the region at no cost.

You can check eligibility and apply through King County Metro's Reduced Fare Portal.

Get help with your phone or internet bill

A working phone matters in a job search. Lifeline is a federal program that lowers phone or internet bills for people with low income.

According to the FCC, you can qualify for Lifeline if your household income is up to 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or if you or someone in your household takes part in certain federal assistance programs like SNAP. The discount covers phone or internet service, but not both.

You can apply at LifelineSupport.org or through a participating phone company.

If you get Basic Food (SNAP): free job help and support services

Washington has a program built for this. The Basic Food Employment and Training program (BFET) helps people who get Basic Food assistance (also called SNAP) gain skills, training and work experience. Services are available from all Washington community and technical colleges and many community organizations, including the Employment Security Department.

What it can cover matters most when money is tight. BFET providers may also offer support services to help you take part in the program, like costs for transportation, clothing, tuition, state identification and training fees.

It's also flexible. Unlike TANF, BFET is voluntary, with no minimum hourly requirement and no time limit.

Find a provider at dshs.wa.gov/BFET.

Use free places to search and apply

• Public libraries have free computers, Wi-Fi, and printing (some charge a small fee per page). Many also have staff who can help with applications.
• WorkSource centers offer free job search help across Washington.
• Community organizations often run free resume help and job clubs.

These places can get busy, especially at the start of the month. Go early in the day if you can.

Spend money only where it pays off

Most of a job search should cost nothing. A few things to keep in mind:

• You shouldn't pay to apply for a job. If someone asks for money to apply, to "guarantee" a job, or for a training kit before you're hired, be careful.
• Some jobs need a card or license, like a Washington food worker card for food service. You have 14 days after you're hired to get it, so you don't need to pay for it before you have a job offer.
• Check if training is paid. In Washington, training your employer requires counts as work time and must be paid.
• Look for postings that list pay. Washington employers with 15 or more employees must include pay in their postings, so you can skip jobs that won't cover your costs.

A 20-minute plan

1. Minutes 1 to 5: Search for "no experience required" plus a job type near you.
2. Minutes 5 to 15: Apply to two or three of the newest postings using your saved work history and availability.
3. Minutes 15 to 20: Check texts, email, and voicemail. Reply to anything from employers right away.

Do this a few times a week and you'll have applications out at several employers without needing big blocks of time.