Suzy Smith

The job search process involves much planning and attention to detail, it is not surprising that many people quickly feel overwhelmed and even a little out of control. The best way to avoid this is to organize your job search when you have a clearly defined strategy and a structured timetable to make you move.

Outline your strategy

Start by creating an overview of your job search strategy. List of tactics you want, and the amount of time you devote to each tactic. A typical list might include the following:

ยท Network of contacts
ยท Sites Job Search Online
ยท Search newspaper ads

Some experts say that the use of less than 20% of all jobs are in the newspaper or online, with the remaining 80% are found through networking. Knowing this, decide how much time you spend in your job search, and then allocate the time accordingly.

Define steps

Then, for each tactic create a list of steps. Here's what it might look like "network of contacts" tactic:

ยท A contact
ยท Ask to meet for 30 minutes to get their comments and suggestions on your resume and your job search strategy
ยท Check the date, hour and place of rendezvous
ยท Meet contact, taking notes on the conversation and the collection of one or two references to other contacts that you may encounter
aec Follow all up meeting with a thank you note
ยท Check back with someone after one to two months if you're still looking for a job

Once you've listed the steps, you created a checklist to help you make sure you complete each step along the path.

Create a calendar

Now create a schedule of daily activities so that you do something with your search every day. A basic schedule might look like this:

Morning

- Call of two contacts to establish networks appointment
- Prepare questions to ask during each visit
- Prepare resume packages for each appointment made
CVs - Prepare and send jobs available online or in newspapers

Afternoon

- Participate in the appointment of networking (if already provided)
- Write thank-you note after the appointment
- Arrival of one or two online job sites

Weekend

- Prepare the new week
- View Jobs Online

Follow each activity

For each tactic, tracking all your activities. You can use software or a plain notebook with blank pages. The idea is to keep notes on the actions of each day, comparing with your checklist for control tactics.

Consider an example. Want to make an appointment with Suzy Smith networking, so start with a blank page and put his name on top, and contact information. Each time you do one of the steps defined in the network (make a phone call, prepare a resume package, go to appointments, etc.), mark it down on top of Suzy. Note the date, time, action, and any notes you may have.

Track your activity creates two benefits. First, when you have multiple operations happening at the same time, it is very easy to get lost or lose track of steps that still need to take. Using your tracking log, it is easy to see at a glance where you stand on each activity and what the next step is coming up. The second advantage is that it allows you to stay focused and active in your job search. It is easy to procrastinate and delay the job search, but if you have to note daily activities in a tracking log, you'll feel more motivated to move and take action.

Action Points

Finally, keep a separate list of "to proceed.