The 9-5 Job Search

Full disclosure, job searching sucks. It is mentally draining and frustrating. Many of my clients express their hatred for job searching, and in many cases say it feels like a job.

It is a job.

If you are really serious about changing careers, then your job search reflect that level of commitment. The job market is competitive and moving rapidly, so you need to be on top of your game to really ensure you are capitalizing on all of your resources.

Still, many of you job searching are struggling to find the time and energy to job search. If you have a full-time job, you are tired when you get home, and the last thing you feel like doing is a resume, or hopping back on the computer for a few hours. If you're unemployed and searching, it can still feel daunting, and you wind up meeting your employed friend for lunch, or binge-watching The Handmaids’s Tale. (I see you!)

There is a way to be productive when you're job searching if you follow a few key rules:

Know What You Are Looking For

Are you staring at the LinkedIn jobs page at a blank cursor? Do you not even know what you are looking for? Take a step back. Are you looking to leave your current industry or profession? Do you have any idea what interests you? These questions while they seem very simple, are why many people struggle in their job search. Before you even start searching, you need to figure out what exactly you want. Plain and simple. Can’t figure it out? Work with a coach or mentor to help you along your journey.

Know Where To Look

Once you have determined what you want, you then need to determine where to look. Have you ever just spent hours on a site and found absolutely nothing that relates to what you want to do? Sure, some of that is related to timing; but some of it is that you aren’t looking in the right place. Certain job boards or networking groups tend to be better suited for certain types of jobs. Even recruitment agencies, if you are going that route, can be tailored to a specific industry. Narrow it down.

Who Do You Know?

You could be mindlessly scrolling through the hundreds of jobs at Google, or you could think about if there is anyone you know at Google that might be able to help you with the application process. Take a moment and look at your contacts on social media, and on LinkedIn. Spend a few hours reaching out to these contacts and let them know you are looking. Remember, the more people that know you are in the market the more likely it is that you will hear of something through your network.

Stay Organized

If you are deep in a job search, you are probably applying to many different things. It is easy to get confused as to when you applied for something, who you followed up with, and who contacted you. Keep a spreadsheet of the roles you applied for, the date you applied and any other necessary information. You never know when someone will reach out to you later on - so it is good to keep a record of everything.

Remember, this is a process. Job searching takes time, and things don’t happen overnight. If you are dedicated and clear about what you are looking for, you will find the job that is best suited for you. It is ok to change your mind and regroup. As long as you feel excited about the roles you are applying to, you are on the right track.

PS: If you are doing all of these things, and still feeling blue - maybe you need an epic job search playlist. Stay tuned, I will work on one for you. Watch this space!