by Monika Pitonak
Finding a new job sometimes feels like a job in and of itself. It can be stressful and overwhelming, especially if you have recently become unemployed. Fortunately, the process can be made much easier by following a Job Search Action Plan that breaks it down into smaller manageable tasks.
1. Identify goals
The first step to implementing a Job Search Action Plan is identifying specific goals that you are looking to achieve. Take some time to reflect on what you would like your career to look like six months, one year, or five years down the line. Identify what type of job you would like to be doing, what kind of responsibilities you would want to have, and what style of workplace you would prefer. This will help you narrow down your search and identify specific positions that would work best within the parameters of your more long-term or general career goals.
Identify specific short-term goals that will help you achieve your larger long-term aspirations. Use the SMART goal paradigm in order to set goals that you are more likely to successfully achieve. (Broad) The SMART paradigm will help you set goals that are Specific (have a clear outcome), Measurable (be easy to tell when they are completed), Achievable (are practically possible), Relevant (relate to your long-term or overarching goals), and Timed (have a specific date to be completed by. For example, your overall goal might be to obtain a full-time position in order to help support yourself and your family. A SMART goal that could help you achieve this could be “I will find and apply for three available positions over the next two weeks.” This goal is specific (specifies three applications), measurable (can tell when it is complete once you submit applications), achievable (actually possible to do), relevant (directly relates to finding a full-time job), and timed (has a timespan of two weeks).
2. Research and reach out
Once you have identified the kind of job you are looking to apply for, it is time to find available positions. Use general job boards such as Indeed or LinkedIn, or local job boards that you might have in your area. (Deering; Doyle “Top Strategies”) You might also have industry-specific or company-specific job boards available to you, or you can even look at specific company websites to see if they are advertising open positions. When you are using the search function on job board websites, make sure you use key words relating to the position and industry you are interested in. (Doyle “Top Strategies”) Additionally, do multiple searches with a variety of related key words so that you are able to see a larger variety of open positions, as different companies sometimes use different terminology to describe positions and responsibilities. For example, when I was looking for part-time work in a restaurant environment, I searched for “line cook,” “prep cook,” and “kitchen hand” positions to get a variety of results. As well, it is beneficial to reach out to your network to see if there are any open positions that are not being openly advertised. (Deering; Doyle “Top Strategies”) This is an excellent way to find a new job, especially if your contact is able to personally vouch for your skills, experience, or work ethic.
3. Find an accountability partner
The easiest way to keep yourself accountable and make sure that you are not slacking off on your job search is to share your progress with an accountability partner. This can be a past co-worker, a friend, or even a new contact that you recently met at a job interview. The key is finding someone that you feel comfortable around, with whom you will be open to sharing your progress, disappointments, and successes. Whether it is a family member or a mentor, make sure that your accountability partner is comfortable with you sharing this information with them and is able to be there to offer you encouragement and hold you accountable to the goals that you set, possibly offering tough love when needed.
4. Stay organized
You are most likely going to apply to many different positions, and it can be difficult to keep track of where you have already applied or who has gotten back to you. In order to keep track of this information and stay on top of things, you can use a program like Excel, Word, or Google Sheets and create a spreadsheet or table to track your progress, with columns that include information such as the company and position name, the date you applied, which documents you submitted as part of the application, and the status of your application (waiting for reply, scheduled interview, application was denied, etc.). (Christopher; Doyle, “10 Easy Ways”) You can choose to keep track of whatever information you personally think is important or relevant to your job search. You can also use websites or applications such as Huntr or JibberJobber that have been designed specifically to help keep your job search organized.
You can also use your job search organizer or a planner to manage your time. Finding job postings that you want to apply for, writing excellent resumes and cover letters, and reaching out to potential employers can be overwhelming and take up a lot of time. You can make this workload more manageable by planning out specific dates or times that you can dedicate to working on your job search, assigning specific tasks to each day, and making sure that your tasks are sufficiently spread out over multiple days. (Christopher) This will make sure that you do not overextend yourself and burn out, and will also keep you on track and hold you more accountable to completing individual tasks.
5. Plan your approach
When you have found an available position that you are interested in and think you would be a great candidate for, make sure that you take the time to put together a fantastic application that is specifically tailored to the position you are applying for, that highlights your strengths, and that will make sure you stand out to the employer. Even if the application does not require a cover letter, make sure that you write one anyway, as it is an opportunity to provide a more personalized introduction to the hiring manager and explain the specific skills you have that make you stand out from the crowd. Of course, you will also be required to provide a resume. Make sure that you tailor your resume to each position that you apply for and that you are not using one general resume to apply to multiple different positions. For more information about writing a convincing resume, check out this blog post. In addition to that, make sure that you prepare any other documents you might need for a particular application, such as work samples or letters of reference. Make sure to read the application requirements carefully before submitting your application to ensure that you have provided everything that your potential employer may need from you.
6. Take action, rinse and repeat
Once you have created a thoughtful and convincing application, it is time to submit it. However, one application is not enough for a successful Job Search Action Plan. You will most likely have to apply for several different jobs in order to get an interview and eventually get hired. So, once you have submitted one application, it is time to begin working on another one. Make sure you keep track of your progress in a spreadsheet, table, or any other job search tool of your preference. Filling out information about the applications you have finished will help keep you motivated, as it will allow you to physically see your progress.
7. Take time to reflect and celebrate
Finally, it is important to take a step back from the whole process and reflect on your successes and failures. If you have failed to meet a specific goal, take the time to identify why that was the case, so that you can set better SMART goals in the future. For example, your goal might not have been feasible because you planned to do too much within a constraint of too little time. If you have successfully met your goals, take the time to celebrate your achievements and tell your accountability partner, or other friends, family, or colleagues about it. It is important to recognize your success and share it with others so that you can maintain a positive attitude. Job searching can be very stressful and frustrating, and taking the time to reflect on your success will help reduce your stress and keep yourself motivated.
Conclusion
Your Job Search Action Plan should be personalized to you and your goals. The way that it looks and progresses will depend on your preferences, career goals, and current employment circumstances. Someone who is currently employed and looking to make a career change will have a drastically different Action Plan to someone who is currently unemployed and needs to find a suitable position as quickly as possible. In either case, it is necessary to stay organized and accountable by choosing an accountability partner and using an organizational system that works for you. Most importantly, try your best to stay motivated and cultivate a positive attitude. Job searching can be difficult, but you are certainly capable to finding a job that is rewarding and enjoyable. Have good luck on your search!
Sources
Broad, Wendy. “The 5 Minute Career Action Plan.” jobs.ac.uk, www.jobs.ac.uk/media/pdf/careers/resources/the-5-minute-career-action-plan.pdf.
Christopher, Priscilla. “7 Productive Ways to Organize Your Job Search Activities Daily.” Lifehack, www.lifehack.org/416954/7-productive-ways-to-organize-your-job-search-activities-daily.
Deering, Sophie. “7 Steps to Planning Your Job Search.” The Undercover Recruiter, theundercoverrecruiter.com/plan-job-search/.
Doyle, Alison. “10 Easy Ways to Organize Your Job Search.” The Balance Careers, 9 Nov. 2021, www.thebalancecareers.com/organize-your-job-search-2060710.
Doyle, Alison. “Top Strategies for a Successful Job Search.” The Balance Careers, 29 June 2021, www.thebalancecareers.com/top-strategies-for-a-successful-job-search-2060714.
“How To Develop a Strategic Plan for Your Job Search.” Indeed, 25 Feb. 2021, www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/strategic-job-search.