Job search activities take time, which is a limited resource. Time is particularly scarce if you’re currently working, taking care of family, going to school or (fill in the blank for your situation). How can you find the time to do it all, and do it all well?
Sometimes it’s not about finding more time; it’s about creating and maximizing it.
Spending an hour on the treadmill every day might build your endurance and help you lose a little weight. But you’re more likely to see results in your overall fitness by combining cardio with strength-training activities.
The same holds true for a job search. Sure, you can aim to send out 100 resumes per week. We have clients that come to us after doing just that — for months. It usually doesn’t work.
Taking a strategic approach to finding a job yields far better results. Successful job seekers focus on a manageable range of job search activities, including networking, identifying a list of target companies, and customizing every resume and cover letter.
There are 24 hours in every day. How you choose to spend those hours is up to you. Following are four ways to make the most of your time during a job search.
1. Prioritize your job search.
The urgency of finding a new job will likely dictate its priority in your life. Keeping in mind that a job search is a project rather than a permanent lifestyle, consider what you can temporarily put aside or shift to the back burner. As our friend Gail Golden says, you can only cook four pots on a four-burner stove. Try to add more pots to the stove, nothing will cook right, and you could wind up with a big mess on the floor!
Related: Curate Your Life: Author Gail Golden Explains
Not sure where all your time goes? Track it for a couple of days. You might be surprised at how you choose to use your time. And you might be amazed at how much “found” time you can discover by making small temporary adjustments to your routine.
Could you set your alarm for 30 minutes earlier? What if you took a social media hiatus for a month, or limited your scrolling time to 15 minutes a day? Is there another family member who could take over the grocery shopping while you’re in job search mode?
We all make time for what matters most. Only you can prioritize the activities that make up your day. Putting your job search at the top of your list emphasizes its importance to you and to those around you.
2. Plan — when possible.
Many job search activities, such as gathering data for your resume, scheduling informational interviews, polishing up your LinkedIn profile and checking online job listings, are proactive. You can plan for them. You should plan for them.
Since looking for a job is a process, you might want to approach it from a project management perspective. Set short- and longer-term goals for your job search or career transition. Enter your job search activities on your calendar so you can plan around them, not the other way around.
Try the 5-4-3-2-1 method: In the next week, what do you want to do daily, four days during the week, three days during the week, two days of the week and once during the week?
A sample schedule might look like this:
5 days/week: Check online job listings (7:30 am daily)
4 days/week: Apply for at least two jobs each of those days
3 days/week: Network! Attend an industry event or reach out to possible new connections on LinkedIn
2 days/week: Engage in career research conversations (informational interviews)
1 day/week: Review/update list of target companies
Don’t forget about self-care! You can’t pour from an empty cup. Build time into your schedule for things that nourish your mind and body.
Because some job search activities require swift action, or flexibility to accommodate an interviewer’s schedule, you might need to adjust your plans every now and then. If someone tells you about a hot new job at one of your target companies, or a hiring manager calls you in for an interview, you need to react — quickly. If you snooze, you could lose out on a great opportunity.
3. Move networking to the top of your list.
Building your professional network is a wise investment if you want to get the biggest return on your limited time.
Half to 80% of job seekers land their jobs through the power of their professional network, so taking the time to develop and nurture a strong professional network will pay off. Your application is much more likely to get noticed when someone you know puts in a good word for you and forwards your resume to the hiring manager or human resources.
Take a look at the people in your professional network and start reconnecting with them to see how you might be able to help each other. Consider exploring professional associations and participating in virtual or in-person meetings or conferences where you can meet people in fields that interest you.
You’ll want to develop a target list of companies and focus on networking your way in to take advantage of the “hidden job market.” Twenty-five seems to be the magic number. If you speak with hiring managers at twenty-five companies, chances are that within a few weeks, the perfect job may open up and they will remember and think of you.
4. Keep your eye on the prize.
Managing your time well will help you achieve your professional goals faster. Be sure to write your goals down and stay focused on what’s most important to you.
Your ideal job (or career) is out there. Finding it may take time and effort, but the payoff will be worth it. Imagine how it will feel to look forward to going to work every day. To take pride in your job. To earn the salary you deserve.
You can conduct a successful job search even if you feel your time is limited. The coaches at LifeWorking® make great cheerleaders and accountability partners. We can help — that’s what we do!
Nobody aspires to be a job seeker.
We’re here to make the process manageable, and whenever possible, fun, too.
Learn more about our Career Coaching services.