By Julie Moberly, M.Ed.
Staying focused and positive can be difficult during a protracted job search, when the long hours of free time can lead to feelings of isolation and ineffectiveness. With some practical strategies, however, creating a more positive approach is not only more enjoyable, it is also more effective. For help combating procrastination, disorganization and staying positive, the list of twelve strategies below will help any job seeker with ideas for better time management, office organization, professional networking, and a greater sense of well-being.
1. Practice good time management
Every Sunday afternoon, allocate a half hour to identify job-hunting goals for the week ahead. Start with major goals, like preparing for an interview or writing a résumé, then move on to smaller tasks like researching job banks, making phone calls and writing cover letters. Plan to work on the job search for a designated number of hours every day, and plan to return unrelated phone calls and emails after this time. The old adage still rings true: finding a job is a job, so making job-hunting a daily part of your routine will find you in a new position that much sooner.
2. Set specific, measurable goals
For best results, start with a well-defined job description of the position you are seeking. Each day, commit to specific actions that will move you closer to that goal. For example, make a daily plan to send out two résumés, research a promising company, line up an informational interview, and bookmark a new job bank site. Goals for the week could include finding a networking meeting to attend, and spending three mornings a week working at the library.
3. Prioritize tasks
To help organize a daily to-do list, divide a sheet of paper into four quadrants labeled ‘To Call,’ ‘To Write,’ ‘To Do,’ and ‘Errands.’ Prioritize these tasks using the A, B, C method. ‘A’ tasks are the most urgent and important, and often result in the greatest benefit. ‘B’ tasks support the As, like a web search that leads to a viable job posting. ‘C’ tasks can be carried along almost indefinitely, and accomplished during odd openings in your schedule. For the greatest return on time spent, always make the high-priority, active choice – such as making a phone call or writing a letter – over the passive one, like surfing the web.
4. Work effectively
Start each day well-rested and well-nourished, and keep a cup of coffee or glass of water nearby. For high-concentration tasks like writing a résumé or crafting a cover letter, plan to work in 90-minute blocks until the task is finished. This approach helps break challenging assignments into manageable chunks. For maximum effectiveness, group like tasks together as much as possible: phone calls, computer tasks, and errands.
5. Overcome procrastination
Procrastination usually points to one of two things: either the end result is not something you truly want in the first place, or you have a fear of failure that keeps you from trying. When faced with procrastination, remember the following:
- You do not need to know everything in order to know enough. Do the homework, then make the call, write the letter, arrange the meeting.
- Promise yourself a reward of equal time on an activity you love for every moment spent on activities you do not. Don’t ever forget to celebrate accomplishment!
- If the task involves working on something complex like a new résumé or a detailed job application, set a kitchen timer for one hour and vow to keep to your seat for the entire time. By the time the timer goes off, you will be in the flow of the task.
- Aim for progress, not perfection.
6. Use the buddy system
To keep productivity high and ease feelings of isolation, consider working side-by-side with another focused job seeker, or plug into the energy of the surrounding crowd at a coffee shop or library.
7. Create a dedicated job search space
A home office is ideal, of course, but any quiet space with a computer and phone are all that’s strictly necessary. Make sure both home and cell phone messages are professional, clear, and to the point.
Stock your home office with a working fax/printer, backup ink cartridges, letterhead and envelopes, professional thank you notes (plain, foldover ivory notes are always appropriate), stamps, and a Rolodex or other system for filing business cards. Staples.com and Vistaprint.com both offer professional-looking stationery and cards for a minimal investment. Don’t worry about branding at this point: all that’s necessary is complete contact information.
8. Stay interview-ready
Keep an up-to-date outfit clean and at the ready, along with a briefcase stocked with business cards, cell phone, résumé, reference list, pens, notepad, and a portable calendar. Some job seekers may also want to carry their résumé on a flash drive.
Before every interview, rehearse answers to typical key questions as well as the ‘elevator pitch’ that best summarizes your skills and accomplishments.
9. Cultivate a strong professional network
Both virtual and in-person networks are invaluable in the job search process. One of the most well-known online networks is LinkedIn, which lists personal professional profiles as well as the names of industry groups with which to network. For more information on using this online network, consider getting the book I’m on LinkedIn – Now What? by Jason Alba.
In-person networking events are frequently offered by professional associations, many of which can be found on the website of the American Society of Association Executives at www.asaenet.org In addition, www.meetup.com also lists numerous networking groups that can be found using different search criteria.
10. Learn a new skill
Many communities offer classes helpful to job seekers through their adult education departments, with topics on everything from using social media to successfully navigating a career change. One of the most well-known is the Boston Center for Adult Education, which includes many one-session classes on job search topics in their online course catalog. In addition, many community colleges offer classes that can help round out a skill set, with the added bonus of providing access to a dedicated career center.
11. Take on a volunteer assignment
A gap in employment can be the perfect time to learn about a new field or acquire a new skill through volunteering. A national website dedicated to matching volunteers with interesting positions is www.volunteermatch.org. By defining search criteria (for example, writing) and a zip code, the website displays all the available positions in a given area. A recent look using those search criteria yielded a dozen interesting possibilities in different areas.
12. Take care of your own well-being
Helpful routines and good self-care are more important than ever, so use this list of ideas to maintain positive momentum and good health.
- Stay social! Maintain your networks with family and friends.
- Keep up regular fitness routines and spiritual practices.
- Pay extra attention to health and nutrition.
- Seek out humor: Read funny books, watch comedies on movie and TV, and spend time with uplifting people.
- Pay careful attention to news consumption.
- Remember that persistence pays, and create consistent, helpful routines for staying organized both at home and in your job search.
About Julie Moberly, M.Ed.,
Julie is the creator of the Seasons day planner for women and an adult educator. The theme of the day planner, “Through the Year with Order, Grace and Joy” reflects her belief that an underlying basis of organization offers women more opportunities to experience fulfilling lives of grace and joy. To view the Seasons day planner, read the Seasons blog, or sign up for the newsletter “Order, Grace and Joy,” visit www.seasonsdayplanner.com.
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Very nice list Julie, thank you for including a recommendation of my LinkedIn book