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The job search process involves a lot
of planning and attention to detail, so it’s no wonder that many people
quickly feel overwhelmed and even a bit out of control. The best way to
avoid this is to organize your job search so that you have a clear strategy
outline and a structured schedule to keep you moving forward.
Outline your strategy
Start by creating an outline of your job
search strategy. List the tactics you intend to use, and the amount of time
you will devote to each tactic. A typical list might include the following:
- Network with contacts
- Search online job sites
- Search newspaper ads
Some employment experts say that less than
20% of all jobs are found through the newspaper or online, with the other
80% found through networking. Knowing this, decide how much time you are
going to devote to your job search, then allocate that time accordingly.
Define the steps
Next, for each tactic create a list of the
steps involved. Here is what this might look like for the “Network with
contacts” tactic:
- Call the contact
- Ask to meet for 30 minutes to get their
feedback and suggestions on your resume as well as your job search
strategy
- Confirm the date, time and location of
the appointment
- Meet with contact, taking notes on the
conversation and collecting one or two referrals to other contacts you
might meet with
- Follow up meeting with a thank you note
- Check back with contact after one to two
months if you are still searching for a job
Once you have the steps listed, you will
have created a checklist for yourself to help make sure you complete each
step along the way.
Create a schedule
Now create a schedule of daily activities
so that you are doing something with your search each day. A basic schedule
might look like this:
Morning
- Call two contacts to set up networking
appointments
- Write questions to ask during each
appointment
- Prepare resume packet for each
appointment made
- Prepare and send resumes for job found
online or in the newspaper
Afternoon
- Attend networking appointment (if
previously scheduled)
- Write thank you note following
appointment
- Check one or two online job sites
Weekend
- Prepare for new week
- Check online job listings
Track each activity
For each tactic, track all of your
activity. You can use computer software or a plain notebook with blank
pages. The idea is to keep notes on each day’s actions, checking them
against your master checklist for the tactic.
Let’s use an example. You want to make a
networking appointment with Suzy Smith, so start with a blank page and put
her name at the top, along with relevant contact information. Each time you
do one of the steps defined as part of networking (make the phone call,
prepare a resume packet, go to the appointment, etc.), mark it down on
Suzy’s page. Note the date, time, action taken, and any notes you may have.
Tracking your activity creates two
benefits. First, when you have multiple activities happening at the same
time it is very easy to get confused or lose track of steps that still need
to be taken. Using your tracking log, it is easy to see at a glance where
you are at with each activity and what next step is coming up. The second
benefit is that it keeps you focused and active in your job search. It is
easy to procrastinate and postpone looking for a job, but if you have to
note daily activities in a tracking log you will feel more motivated to get
moving and take action.
Action items
Finally, keep a separate list of “action
items” that need attention right away. If, for example, a contact tells you
about an open position at a colleague’s company and suggests you call about
it, this goes on your action item list to be handled within 24 to 48 hours.
This list is a great way to deal with emergent issues and opportunities,
while still staying organized and keeping up with your regular schedule.
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