Insider Tips for Job Search Success: Launching a Job Search

Finding a job that fits your skills, experience, and work preferences is a job in itself. You will need preparation, patience, and a viable plan.

Every jobseeker wants a successful conclusion to their search. This series of “Insider Tips” will help you execute your search. Use these checklists to find your new job faster.

Start with the End in Mind

Take the time to think about what kind of job you’re targeting. What job title, functional roles, and industry are of interest to you? Any specific companies where you’d like to work? If your ideal job were available, how would you describe it?

• Take time to organize your job search. Outline a strategy and then use your plan to create a weekly list of activities.
• Create a schedule each day for your job search activities. Make a list each day of the activities you want to complete. However, if an interview or networking opportunity comes up, of course, you will rearrange your schedule to fit it in!
• Set aside a workspace for your job search. Designate a specific area to use when conducting your job search. The area should be free of distractions.
• Devote sufficient time to your job search. The more time and energy you devote to your job search, and the more aggressively you network, the faster your job search will proceed. If you are not currently working, commit yourself to a minimum of 40 hours per week devoted to your search campaign. If you are currently working, consider spending 15-20 hours per week at a minimum.
• Recognize that your motivation is going to increase and decrease, depending on the success (or lack of success) you are having in reaching your job search goal. Reward yourself for effort, not for results.
• Create a team to help you. You don’t have to go it alone in your job search. Ask your family and friends to support you. Join a job club. Use the services offered by your city, county, or state employment office. Contact your university alumni association. Hire a resume writer and/or career coach.
• Enlist an accountability partner. Recruit one person to support, encourage, and motivate you in your job search. It can be a friend, another jobseeker, or a coach/counselor. (Choose someone who can be objective with you — and critical of your efforts — when they need to be. That role might be too difficult for a spouse/partner.)
• It can be easier to get a job if you have a job (even if the job isn’t related to the job you want). Employers sometimes see hiring someone who is unemployed as “riskier” than hiring someone who is already working.
• If you are having difficulty finding a job in your area, consider relocation. If you live in an area with high unemployment — especially in your industry — consider whether moving to another city, state, or region would improve your chances of getting hired.

I’m happy to have a conversation about my career management services to explore how I can help you “market your brilliance.”  You can contact me here.

Wishing you great success with your career and life plans.

Brenda Goburn Smith

Resume Writer and Career Strategist