When Job Search is Your Full-Time Job

Needing to find a job can be stressful. Bringing structure into your day can remove a lot of that stress and get you into the right 'mode' for successfully achieving your goal.

Embarking on a job hunt can undoubtedly be stressful. There might be a lot of pressure on you to find a job and get back to work as soon as humanly possible. Don’t worry. With these tips, you will streamline your job search so that you find a job in plenty of time.

Stressing yourself out isn’t going to help. However, you can do a few things that will make sure this whole process runs a little more smoothly. First of all, you can’t expect jumping on LinkedIn a few times will help you land your dream job. Conducting a successful job search takes time and effort, so it’s vital that you set aside enough time to make progress.

Think of your search for a job as your new full-time job.

When you dedicate yourself to searching for a job full-time, you will find more success simply because you are focusing more on the process than the result. To be sure you stay on track, here are our top 3 time management tips to help you execute a successful job search.

Focus on the process

If you’re feeling the pressure to get a new job as soon as possible, the absolute best thing you can do to speed up your job search is to stay focused on the process. The last thing you need is stress because it will only slow you down. When your stress levels go up, your self-confidence goes down. Without a bit of confidence in yourself, it makes it harder to send out resumes, network in your field, or move forward with your job search.

When you focus on the process, however, your job search resembles your current job. You'll focus on what you can control vs what you can't control.

First, you need to make a goal and break it down just like you would with a project at work. Remember, finding a job is your new full-time job. Treat it with the respect it deserves. That means you should create a comfortable workspace where you can focus on your tasks. Next, make a work schedule and stick to it. Think about what time of day you are most productive, and plan breaks. Finally, you’re going to want to keep track of your progress and keep your files organized. Be sure to update your profiles and CV to mark your progress. Besides, you wouldn’t want to be unorganized when your weekly review comes around. That’s right; you still need to review your progress weekly. It will encourage you to stay on top of your search. So doing a weekly "progress review meeting" with yourself is highly recommended.

Get organized

You’d be surprised just how far a little organization and time management will take you. You have to spend your time wisely and utilize your professional time management skills.

So, how can you organize your job search? The key is to prioritize your time. People often get stuck on job boards and submitting applications to these posts. Yes, you should definitely be doing this. However, it’s not the best way you could be spending your time. If you aren’t prioritizing networking, you are wasting your time. According to the global HR services company Randstad, 61% of hires in large companies were found through a company career page or an employee referred them. In contrast, only 14% of people hired were found through a job board posting.

Networking is the most powerful tool in your arsenal. Use it.

Ideally, you should be spending at least 50% of your time networking. This includes reaching out to people in your network, following up with them, participating in informational interviews, attending meetings and events, and volunteering. Then, 30% of your time can be spent planning, doing research, and working with a coach. The final 20% of your time applying to positions or practicing your interviewing skills with a coach.

Create a routine

Just because you aren’t showing up at the office five days a week doesn’t mean you can slack off. Once you get into the habit of wearing your pyjamas day in and day out, it’s hard to break it. Most people need at least a little structure in their lives, so figure out how much structure you need to be productive and stick to that no matter what.

Ask yourself what parts of your routine helped you stay productive during the day while you were working and implement them into your job search. Maybe taking a coffee break or getting dressed in your professional clothes will help you stay on track. Then, just be mindful of the things that hold you back. Yes, it can be tempting to browse the job boards again, but sometimes it can be more of a hindrance than a help.

This is a time to connect with others. Network and discover all the options that are available to you. Besides, you should be taking this opportunity to think about what you want. Consider what kind of company culture would suit you best and look for a job with that kind of workplace environment.

Lastly, remember to take breaks and reflect.

When you’re working, you don’t often get time to stop and think about life. Now is your chance, so be sure to take time to relax even while you’re looking for a job. Sometimes, it feels impossible to slow down since that would only make the process longer. But, the process is going to take however much time it takes. Sometimes, slowing down or taking a break is precisely what will help renew your momentum.