Ten Tips for Conducting a Job Search

How do you conduct a successful job search?  Many people find the unstructured time they have to do a job search overwhelming.  It is so easy to get distracted by projects that you have wanted to do but never had the time. People have all sorts of advice for you but you are not sure where to begin.  Not only that but once you do begin how do you keep up the momentum?  Here are 10 tips.

1. Plan a daily schedule – Have specific hours during the day that you are at your desk working on finding a new job.  Be sure to leave time for exercise and being with friends.  Keep your schedule similar to the one you had when you were at work.

2. Set aside enough time to do the job search well – Be realistic about the time you need to do these tasks.  If you do not allot enough time you will be careless about the job applications.

3. Treat your job search as a business – You are a sale executive in your business selling a product and the product is you.  As with any product you have to have a lot of prospects before you make one sale.  Have lots of balls in the air.  Ask any sales person about his/her sales funnel.

4. Be a good record keeper – Keep track of the jobs you have applied for and where and with whom you have had interviews.  Follow up will be easier if you have the information all in one place.  Keep notes on phone conversation and interviews

5. Have other meaningful work.  Do some volunteer work or contract work.  It gives you something to talk about when you interview and makes you feel productive and useful. Employers will want to know that you have kept involved in work and career while you were unemployed.

6. Have a positive attitude – Do what it takes to keep happy and optimistic.  No one wants to hire someone who is angry or sad.  This may mean splurging on dessert, letting go of the anger you feel about the job you lost, buying a new outfit, and/or taking the weekend off.  Denial or holding a grudge will not make you happy.  Do not put your life on hold. A coach can help you to put your life into perspective so you can feel more positive.

7. Find a partner to work with – A job search can be very isolating.  Find a friend or a career coach to talk to you regularly.  Tell him/her what is happening in your search. Brainstorm and strategize with your friend or career coach.  Rehearse with the person when you have a job interview or when you are going to make an important call.

8. Set realistic goals – You will need realistic goals (number of networking contacts per week, specific people and companies you want to target, number of interviews etc.) to keep you working and motivated.  Once you accomplish a goal celebrate your success!

9. Strengthen your confidence – Do whatever it takes to make you feel confident and happy during your job search.  This may mean part time work or being with people who recognize you as the capable person you are.  You must exude confidence and energy to be hirable.

10. Join a group for group support – Exchanging ideas with others is helpful.  A job opportunity that is not right for one member of the group may be right for you. You might look to the group for social activities too.  If there is no existing group in your area, how about starting one?