The job search process can be a long one, but there’s one constant that should be used almost nonstop from the initial application period to the final confirmation of the offer. Making sure you’re using email in the right ways can likely shave a chunk of time off your job search in total, giving you a better opportunity to land the jobs you’re most interested in.

Email will be a focal point of your job hunt from the very beginning. On every resume you send, whether in person or over the Internet, you need to include an email for contact purposes. Before you even begin applying, make sure your address presents you as a professional. Nicknames and hard-to-remember email addresses will likely make employers think you’re not serious about the position. Make sure you are using a popular service, like Gmail, and if necessary, make a new account that is laid out similar to “your first name.your last [email protected].” That will ensure your potential managers don’t get the wrong impression of your intentions.

Once your account is set up, you’ll likely be sending out a variety of emails. Don’t bulk-apply, attaching one resume to fifty different stock emails with few differences. Each application you send should be personalized in some way. This adds strength to your pitch for the position, as even the smallest bit of extra effort will likely impress a manager. If it’s clear that your email is addressed to a general employer, managers will be more likely to discount your efforts.

Collect emails, don’t just send them

Being proactive in the job search can also involve emails, Daily Finance reported. You don’t need to see a job opening to send an application. If you search on various websites like LinkedIn, or even simply on the websites of companies you’re interested in working for, you can likely build a collection of email addresses of industry leaders. Sending these people emails stating your interest and skills in the industry in question may not always lead to positive results, but there’s a chance that you’ll make a connection. At the very least, you might be able to expand your network – if you’re lucky, you might learn about a new opportunity.

That said, emails retain their importance when you advance to the interview stage. It’s recommended that you send a thank-you note after each interview you complete. It’s easiest to do so via email, but make sure to double-check your writing and keep it short and respectful.

Be careful in the later stages

Even after an interview goes well and you feel like your thank-you emails have you in the fast track for a new job, you need to keep an eye on your email through the moment you accept a position. Once you’re at the point where you’re discussing possible job offers, you should only use email to set up one-on-one conversations. Using it for more far-reaching discussions may lead to problems, as it’s difficult to keep track of how your tone may come across in multiple situations. You’ll also want to avoid negotiating any offers through email for the same reasons.

Once it comes time to accept or decline an offer, you should only use email for one answer. If you’re accepting an offer, it’s more than acceptable to do so by email because it’s fast and easy to confirm your interest. On the other hand, never use email to decline job offers. There’s too much at risk, including your overall reputation. Some managers may be offended if they receive a rejection in this manner, and you may need their services in the future.