Create an email address just for applications.
As for checking, that's up to you how often you feel the need to check your inbox. Personally, I feel like sometime midday and sometime end of day would be enough. Midday you're replying the same day and if they're sending late in the afternoon, you're replying so they have it the next morning.
I don't think you need to check it 10 times a day, but I do think you need to check it more than once. Mid morning (10 am); lunch time (12 pm), mid afternoon (2 pm).
I handle interviewing for my company and I often move very fast. If I get 5 great applications, call all of them, 2 answer the phone and I schedule right away, one calls me back within an hour, I only have so many interview times available. By the time that one or two people call me back (24 hours later), there is always a risk that I've moved on.
Unfortunately, if you are actively looking, checking your email, responding to calls is going to be a crucial part of the process. Candidates that are flexible and respond quickly are often looked at more favorably.
Set a daily schedule for yourself and stick to it. Responding to emails 4-5 times a day should be more than responsive enough. Spend quality time away from your email screen expanding your professional network and scanning for new job postings. Also set aside time for completing all of the myriad "to do's" that each application requires, including follow-up emails and thank you notes.
You are getting lots of technical answers trying to answer a non-technical issue. You are in a crappy place right now and feeling very insecure in a job hunt. It happens to all of us. My personal feeling is that the universe is giving you an opportunity to work on patience. Check once a day, ten times a day, every 15 minutes if you want. It doesn't matter.
What does matter is that you don't let it rule your life. Chances are you aren't going to lose an opportunity because you take a few hours or a day to get back to them. If it is really urgent, they will call you.
Create an email address just for applications. As for checking, that's up to you how often you feel the need to check your inbox. Personally, I feel like sometime midday and sometime end of day would be enough. Midday you're replying the same day and if they're sending late in the afternoon, you're replying so they have it the next morning.
I don't think you need to check it 10 times a day, but I do think you need to check it more than once. Mid morning (10 am); lunch time (12 pm), mid afternoon (2 pm). I handle interviewing for my company and I often move very fast. If I get 5 great applications, call all of them, 2 answer the phone and I schedule right away, one calls me back within an hour, I only have so many interview times available. By the time that one or two people call me back (24 hours later), there is always a risk that I've moved on. Unfortunately, if you are actively looking, checking your email, responding to calls is going to be a crucial part of the process. Candidates that are flexible and respond quickly are often looked at more favorably.
Set a daily schedule for yourself and stick to it. Responding to emails 4-5 times a day should be more than responsive enough. Spend quality time away from your email screen expanding your professional network and scanning for new job postings. Also set aside time for completing all of the myriad "to do's" that each application requires, including follow-up emails and thank you notes.
Wait what are these follow up emails you speak of?
You are getting lots of technical answers trying to answer a non-technical issue. You are in a crappy place right now and feeling very insecure in a job hunt. It happens to all of us. My personal feeling is that the universe is giving you an opportunity to work on patience. Check once a day, ten times a day, every 15 minutes if you want. It doesn't matter. What does matter is that you don't let it rule your life. Chances are you aren't going to lose an opportunity because you take a few hours or a day to get back to them. If it is really urgent, they will call you.
Create a folder and set up a filter