Ask HN: How do you manage to apply to a bunch of companies at the same time?

After looking at the recent [Who is Hiring?](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=17902901), I was wondering if there is a recommended personal approach to applying for multiple positions during the same time.

It seems like a chaotic and counter-intuitive process to apply for 4-5 companies simultaneously, but most do recommend this approach. Got any tips?