Looking for a job?
Many career experts advise that the process of looking for a full-time job should be considered a full-time job itself.
Actually, fully taking on a job search may be tougher than the job you end up in. Why?
- Hopefully you’ll end up in a job suited to your talents, skills and interests. While some people may find creating a resume or interviewing for a job to be fun and satisfying tasks, for most of us, the many individual tasks involved in a job search, from creating a resume to identifying job possibilities to applying and interviewing, each demand attention, energy, and specific skills that don’t necessarily feed our intrinsic interests or draw on our top skills.
- The job search process also requires accomplishing a lot with little external structure: keeping organized and on-task can pose a challenge to even the most intrepid job-searcher.
To make it easier, here are some suggestions for structuring the job search.
WEEK ONE TO TWO: INITIAL JOB SEARCH TASKS
Three steps comprise the initial steps of a job search: preparing a resume, drafting a general cover letter, and developing what’s called an “elevator speech,” or brief explanation of the type of work in which you are interested. Having these three key pieces in place will prepare you to move forward with confidence.
For this reason, the first week or two of your job search should begin with these three key tasks, detailed in subsequent sections of this guide:
1) One essential task when embarking on a job search is developing a resume. The initial resume should be broad and inclusive, capturing all previous employment, volunteer work, talents, and skills. Assuring that you are capturing the range of your experiences will make it easy to tailor the resume later for specific jobs. 2) A second key task in starting a job search is to become familiar with elements of a cover letter. Developing a general cover letter that can later be modified for particular jobs can often reduce the stress of drafting a cover at the last minute when an application is due.
3) A third useful step is to develop and practice an “elevator speech,” or brief explanation of the type of work you are interested in, so that you are ready to easily explain your interests as you begin to network.
Once these three key pieces are prepared, ask others to review them, and incorporate their feedback as appropriate. Then, you are ready to begin your job search in earnest.
AFTER WEEK TWO: MANAGING ONGOING JOB-SEARCH TASKS
Figuring out how to divide the work-week up into a variety of job-search tasks and strategies is one approach to maintaining clarity and focus in the process.
Having a clear schedule for managing the variety of essential aspects of a job-search creates a structure that encourages forward movement. The following sample schedule suggests a way to balance the weekly tasks involved in an ongoing job search.
SUNDAY:
- Recoup your energy through connection and fun!
- Use your elevator speech to network with anyone you come across in your daily activities.
MONDAY:
- Search online job sites, accumulating a list of jobs to apply for.
- Begin submitting applications for any jobs identified online or through networking, tailoring cover letter and/or resume as needed.
TUESDAY:
- Complete applications for jobs identified yesterday, tailoring cover letter and resume as needed.
- Attend a job support or networking group.
WEDNESDAY:
- Arrange one or more informational interviews for the upcoming week.
- Search for relevant externship opportunities.
- Spend time developing an elevator speech, working on interviewing skills, and/or updating your social media .
THURSDAY:
- Search online job sites, accumulating a list of jobs to apply for.
- Begin submitting applications for any jobs identified online or through networking, tailoring cover letter and/or resume as needed.
FRIDAY:
- Complete applications for jobs identified yesterday, tailoring cover letter and resume as needed.
- Send thank you notes as appropriate.
SATURDAY:
- Recoup your energy through connection and fun!
- Use your elevator speech to network with anyone you come across in your daily activities.
Even with a schedule, there is no doubt that holding one’s own feet to the fire and staying motivated during a job search can be challenging, particularly when some of the tasks are repetitive and not intrinsically interesting.
A career coach or, ideally, an AD/HD Coach with experience assisting clients in the job search process can help you harness energy, individualize your strategies, identify resources, structure a search process, provide accountability, and maintain a focus on your goal.
Contact me for a free, no-obligation consultation to see if my services might be a match for your needs.