Finding a job IS a full-time job! It really is! When you are employed, you maintain a schedule. For many, it involves reporting to work the same time each morning and leaving the same time at the end of each day – five days a week. During this time, you work hard and diligently to accomplish your work tasks, goals, and objectives. When you are searching for a job, you should follow the same type of schedule because your success depends upon it.
So, begin tomorrow by “reporting to work” and spending the day on tasks that lead to your next job opportunity.
1. Be your own boss
You are now “self-employed.” But that does not mean that it’s going to be easy. Set expectations for what you need to accomplish, establish direction, and monitor your work. Apply all of the tools and skills that you used in your last job to keep yourself on track. Most importantly, hold yourself accountable.
2. Document your progress
Sit down and meet with yourself each week to document your progress. Include a description of what you accomplished during the previous week. Next, detail your plans for the upcoming week. Your plans should include your goals, actions, and priorities. For example, you could set goals for the number of people you will call, the number of networking meetings you will attend, the company research you will conduct, and the number of applications you will submit.
3. Evaluate your progress
In the upcoming weeks, evaluate your progress during the previous week with the goals you established. Describe the results that your efforts have produced and compare these results with what you wanted to achieve. If you planned to attend six networking events and you attended only two:
a) Determine why this happened.
b) Plan alternative options that will correct the difference.