The daily job search can be exhausting and feel like a roller coaster road with ups, downs, twists, turns, loops and dead ends. Constantly tailoring your resume, drafting personalized cover letters, and anxiously refreshing your email in hopes of at least one reply from a hiring manager is enough to leave you feeling totally drained and discouraged.
The stages of the job search is search constantly, I found one (yeah), apply, answer a lengthy application form, customize your cover letter, search social media for connections, network, and wait and wait and wait.
How can one mange constantly submitting applications only to hear crickets? You know you can only move forward but most days you feel like you are moving in reverse. Job searching takes stamina and perseverance. There is no magic trick or guarantees. You can be the absolute perfect candidate and still not be offered the job.
Some Simple Guidelines to help make the ride smoother.
Get out and Network
Set Up Informational Meetings – Lunch or coffee
Research Targeted Companies and use Social Media to make connections
Learn and apply something new
Daily Routine by the hour
8 AM: Work out, Eat Breakfast - do something for you
9 AM: Map out your day
10 AM: Update Your Resume - Prep for Your Networking – Prepare for Interviews
12 Noon: Lunch
1 PM: Research and Update Social Media
4 PM: Network
5 PM: Send Email Follow-ups
6 PM: Dinner
Your Daily Routine by the Day
MONDAY
LinkedIn Networking - Connect with one new person
Job Boards - Apply for 1-3 new job(s) – update your resume & cover letter
Job Search Research – Companies and Contacts and your worth in the job market
Networking - Make a list of 5 people you want to reach out this week
TUESDAY
LinkedIn - Scan your LinkedIn Homepage & Groups and join in the conversation
Script – Practice your commercial and for interviewing
Networking - Schedule a lunch or breakfast
WEDNESDAY
LinkedIn Networking - Connect with one new person
Job Boards - Apply for 1-3 new job(s) – update your resume & cover letter
Job Search Research
Social Media – explore using Twitter or Facebook
THURSDAY
LinkedIn Research - Join a new group or explore a new company
Networking - Search online or paper for networking event or organization and join or attend
Job Search Emails -Follow-up on jobs applied for this week
FRIDAY
LinkedIn Networking
Interview – practice and develop more STAR/CAR examples
Networking – Reconnect with an old connection or one from your list, schedule a lunch or coffee, and connect with Recruiters
Ping Your Resume – update it on every job board – edit and resave
Each Friday, write down your S.M.A.R.T goals for the following week. S.M.A.R.T. goals are Specific, Measurable, Active, Realistic, and Timed. Networking is the best job search strategy, be sure to include S.M.A.R.T. networking goals in your plan each week. Fasten your seat belt this ride is going to be bumpy.
