Making time to find a new job

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Looking for a new job can be time-consuming.

Like, I’m not joking. It can be a full-time job in itself.

When you come home at the end of the day the last thing you want to be doing is sitting at your PC for another few hours while you find a position and write up the application.

Bouncing into this blog for the first time? Click here to read more about me.

I’ve been an employee most of my career and in that time, I’ve launched a job campaign at least 15 times (minimum)— I tried to add them up.

And there are loads of reasons why I wanted a new job including;

  • needing a change
  • new challenge
  • stress
  • money
  • living closer to home
  • more time for family
  • not getting on with boss or colleagues…

Throughout each job campaign, there have been many times it was difficult to stay motivated—especially during periods of unemployment.

Yes, I’ve been made redundant 3 times and quit without a job to go to once.

Job searching can take a week, several months or a few years……depending on what you want to do. 😱

Over the years, I’ve come to realise there are 3 things you need to help you carve out time for your job search campaign and stick with it.

#1 Determine your reason to get out

 

In case it’s not obvious, this is your motivator. The thing that drives you to move forward,

When you combine your reason with figuring out what a new position could do for you…”BOOM” 🧨

Now, take both of these and write them down or vision-board it….whatever works for you—just put it somewhere you will see it frequently ie: fridge, PC, desk etc.

This will help remind and prompt you to focus on making an effort to job search.

 

Thinking of doing an online vision board?

 

Here’s an example of one for me.

Job Search Vision Board

I simply used the free version of Canva to create this one.

  • You’ll want a 2400 x 1800 px
  • Pick a grid
  • Add your images, or free ones from Canva, Pixbay etc
  • Through in a few positive affirmations and you’re done!

In this vision board I’m expressing my reasons to get out which are:

  • Constant frustration
  • Tiredness from working too many hours
  • An unhappy kid because I work too many hours
  • Always pressed for time
  • Not feeling appreciated for my work

Compared to my new target role providing me:

  • More time to study
  • More time with family
  • Making more of a difference

Be as creative as you like! Create as many vision boards as you like.

#2 Systemize Your Search

 

I am a gal who follows the path of least resistance. If it’s quick and easy, then I’m on board!

Anything that is going to speed up the process of job-seeking will motivate you to do more of it.

Job searching can be frustrating AF, even for a seasoned professional—myself included.

If you want to find time to job search, you need a systematic approach.

 

Narrow Your focus

 

“I’ll do anything” is a recipe for disaster! If you don’t know what you want, neither will a hiring manager.

Decide on what you want to target and create your brand around that position.

 

Create A Cover Letter Template

 

Cover letters are cheeky devils that can be a major time suck.

So, to speed things up, create a template for your cover letter. Include the content you frequently use but leave flexibility to alter things like:

  • Accomplishments
  • Reason for applying
  • Personal Attributes
  • Relocation or travel considerations
  • Professional development…etc

Here is an example of creating a template, with specific spaces carved out to quickly personalise the letter for individual positions…

Cover Letter Template Example

The yellow prompts make it easy to see where unique information is needed…WINNING!

👏👏👏

 

Have A Job Search Tracker

 

Finding a job is like having an unsexy project management gig. 

It’s certainly not as glamourous as getting knee-deep into an Agile finance piece or collaborating on your companies next big product.

But make no mistake, it’s really important if you are not simply applying for a one-off role. 

Anyone in the throws of unemployment or active job searching needs a place to manage their efforts.

Why?

Well if you don’t track, then you won’t actively follow-up….and you run a less than efficient job campaign.

How do you track your job search?

I’m glad you asked. Here are 3 tools I either personally use or recommend.

First up……good ole Microsoft Excel 💡. Combine this with an online document storage tool like Google Drive or Dropbox and you’re all set.

Here’s the tracker I’ve used in the past AND give to budget-conscious clients…

Microsft Excel Job Search Application Tracker

The thing I like about Excel is you can have tabs set up to break up your applications by month or position type if you are targeting, say, two different types of roles.

Google Drive/Dropbox etc are not only great places to store your tracker, but you can keep copies of job ads, resumes you’ve sent etc.

Oh, and did I mention it’s free!

Next up is GQueues

I’ve been using this for a long time. There is a free version and paid version, plus a mobile app.

For a measly $25 a year this program runs my life 🙌

I pay for it because then it syncs with my Gmail calendar, allows me to create tasks from within Gmail and set tasks to re-occur.

From a job search perspective, it also enables:

  • files to be stored within a task (ie Resume, Cover Letter) ✔
  • emails from employers can be added to an existing task ✔
  • keep records with comments ✔
  • Move tasks between categories so you know which stage your application is at ✔

The look and feel of it go with my way of working……it’s very linear.

GQueues for Job Searching

If Kanban-style is more your thing or you want to automate routine tasks to make your job search even more efficient, then Trello is for you!

There is a free and paid version along with a mobile app.

The free version only allows you to have ONE ‘Power-Up’ and ONE ‘Trigger’ for automation.

At $12 p/mth or $120 a year, you’d have to weigh up the benefit for purchasing v’s free.

In the free version, I opted for ‘Custom Fields’ as my Power-Up. But you could go with calendar integration, advanced searching, reporting…..anything you like.

The trigger I used was automatically adding the date the card was created to help reconcile job search activities each month.

Just like with GQueues, Trello can store your files, emails from employers and running comments.

#3 Plan Your Job Search Activities in Advance

 

NEWSFLASH!! Job searching isn’t just about looking for or at job ads.

It involves a whole bunch of activities and tasks.

This post is about ‘making time find a new job‘, and well the best way to do that is to chunk up your tasks and plan them out. 

Examples of job search activities

  • block out 1-hour of job search time in your calendar (daily, weekly etc).
  • company research
  • contacting people in your network
  • follow-up leads
  • attending interviews
  • leaving recommendations for others on LinkedIn

You are a busy professional! Just like me, you’ve got kids, work, social commitments, study and more…

Action Points!

  1. Determine your motivation to find a new job and pin it up where you will see it often
  2. Set-up job search systems to make the process easier
  3. Select and schedule in your job search activities
Lisa Mahar Close Up In Office

Hi, I'm Lisa.

Known as a resume master and job search accelerator, I’m obsessed with Barefoot investing, English breakfast tea, and my local Buy Nothing group. What motivates me each day is helping YOU land your next role – all through a successful job search.

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