Searching for a job or changing jobs can be pretty stressful. Reading countless job descriptions, constant resume and cover letter re-writing, and the interview process can put anyone in a state of high anxiety.
Whether you’re a new graduate, currently employed, or unemployed, having the best strategy for your job search will alleviate a lot of that stress. Using these specific steps will help you focus, stay on track, and make it easier to go through the job search process.
1. Be Specific
Write down what type of job you want to have. If you are currently employed, write down why you want to leave your current job. Don’t write “because my job sucks.” Be specific.
Job hunting with a specific idea of what you want to do will allow you to focus on the position and type of company that interests you. Your answers give you purpose and direction in your job search. Read daily, they give you the motivation to keep you moving forward and not throwing in the towel when the going is rough.
2. Keep a Routine
Don’t fall out of your regular work or school routine. Get up early, take a shower, eat breakfast, exercise, or meditate. Whatever you do in the morning to get yourself moving, keep doing it.
Incorporating a job search into your day without keeping to a schedule or routine, months can go by while you think about changing jobs or lying on the couch watching TV with your cat.
Related: 5 Ridiculously Simple Ways to Find Your Dream Job
3. Stay Positive
Let your friends and family know you’re looking for a job so they can support and encourage you. Recommendations to jobs can come from anyone you know, so let them know you are looking.
Hang out with friends and family who will inspire and support you during your job search. Stay away from people who give off a negative vibe. You don’t need people telling you “there are no jobs in the field you are looking for” or “don’t complain, you’re lucky to have a job”.
4. Update Your Social Media
If you haven’t already, set up a LinkedIn profile. Review and add skills to your profile. Look at your FaceBook, Twitter, Instagram, and any other Social Media accounts you post to for revealing and unprofessional posts.
Make it a priority to clean up your Social Media before you send out your cover letters and resumes. Consider writing articles on LinkedIn about your field of interest. You will gain credibility and give yourself a boost in confidence.
Related: 6 Benefits of Establishing a Routine
5. Take Care of Yourself
Set written daily goals that include taking care of yourself. Eating right, exercising ,and getting enough sleep makes you feel good about yourself.
Stay away from thinking “Once I find my perfect job, I will . . .” It is easier to keep on track when you set yourself as a priority and care of your physical and mental well-being every day. Don’t put your life on hold while looking for a job.
6. Set Weekly Goals
Write down and read your weekly goals daily. For example, review and update your resume on Monday, look through your local paper, online job boards, and local company websites on Tuesday, write cover letters and tweak your resume per job on Wednesday, apply to positions that caught your eye on Thursday, follow-up on resumes sent, send thank you notes, and set next week’s goals on Friday.
Related: 3 Steps to Achieving Your Goals
7. Keep Moving Forward
Be realistic about your job search. Don’t become discouraged. It could take a month, 3 months, 6 months, or longer to receive an offer on a job.
Keep moving forward by setting your daily and weekly goals, fine tune what you want in a job, take advantage of free online courses to expand your skills, and read about companies that interest you.
Have you found friends and family to be a help or a hindrance? Did your job search include your local paper, online job boards, or pounding the pavement to make face to face contact? What were your steps to success in your job search?
Hi, I’m Karen. Welcome to my website! I will show you how to establish the framework for an organized and successful leadership and office management system.
