A job searching schedule can work wonders

In the job search, when there’s only so much time in the day, it can be easy to lose track of what you need to get done. Between applications, interviews, networking and the other responsibilities in your daily life, keeping an eye on everything you’ll need to do in a given day can be tough. However, if you set up a cohesive strategy and stick to it over time, you’ll have much more success.

“I am still amazed when people tell me they are having a hard time finding work and when I ask them  ‘who else have they applied with or called and spoken to this week?’, their answer is inevitably “oh, I have sent out at least 100 resumes” to which I respond again. “but who have you contacted directly, spoken to or engaged in conversation in person or by phone with”.. Which is when I get the deer in the headlight look”

So here is it straightforward and to the point:  Looking for a job, should be your FULL TIME JOB. Meaning you should have a plan, be organized, create a schedule. You should be up and dressed for interviews by 730 or 8am. Out the door by 830 at the latest (yes the early bird not only gets the worm, it gets the job!) and you should have a list of companies or places to go that will enable you to network, create connections and introduce yourself.

Get off on the right foot

Forbes reported that when you want to start the job search process, you can’t just sleep in and hope that a brilliant idea strikes you. Waking up, getting ready for the day and thinking of the exact things you want to get done in that day’s time is a good start. It might also be a good idea for some introspection, too – if you think about your long-term career goals that may only further inspire you.

The next step should be a quick glance at your resume. Too many people make the mistake of logging hours on their resume, tweaking and twisting it so that every word would have the perfect emphasis. That’s a mistake, as that time can be much better spent doing other things. An hour per day is more than fine in this context. After that, make an effort to network, whether you’re on LinkedIn or meeting someone in real life. Keeping an active network can be a great boost to your hopes as it will allow your friends and colleagues to keep an eye out for any opportunities that might be right for you.

From there, you might want to update any social media pages you have, whether you’re on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter. You never know where an opportunity may arise from, and taking this step certainly won’t hurt. From there, you can search job openings, and The Huffington Post noted that working to improve your skills by taking a new class of some form can be a great way to spend your time. Whether it’s online or in-person, such a class can help you develop some long-term skills.

Weekly plans can be effective

The Huffington Post added that you can also set up a search plan over a longer period of time. Writing out weekly goals, such as meeting with a certain number of people or sending out a certain amount of applications, can help you gain confidence over time, and will allow you to stick to your guns over time even if you don’t see initial results.