how to find a job in the new economy, part 5

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Part 5 of 5 Managing Your Job Hunt Like a Pro

FINDING A JOB The Best Ways to Hunt For Your Dream Job in the New

Economy

A recap of the series so far

• In Part 1, we discussed resumes• In Part 2, we discussed a range of opportunities• Part 3, we covered: Online job hunting,

volunteering, and social networking• In Part 4, we discussed assessing your careers,

setting goals, and seeking available work that matches your goals

• In this part, we are going to discuss how to manage your time effectively and maintain discipline to run your job hunt like a pro

http://EternalSpiralBooks.com/questions

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Manage your time so it does not get eaten up with unproductive hunting or aimless reading.

Time Management Skills are Key


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Unemployment-One of the Busiest Times of Your Life! 1

• Filing for unemployment• Filling out all the paperwork• Consulting with a lawyer over your job loss

(optional)• Applying for COBRA• Updating your resume• Re-writing it several times for different kinds of

jobs• Writing cover letters for each kind of job


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• Looking for jobs in the ads online• Looking for jobs in the ads in the local papers• Re-writing your draft cover letters for every job

you apply for• Networking to find a job in person • Networking to find a job online• Research on companies and careers• Registering for job boards• Posting resumes on job boards


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• Following up on all leads• Adding to your work related skills• Improving your skills• Doing all your regular chores• Family life/catching up on all the things you

never get a chance to do because you have been working so hard

• Trying to relax and not stress over your job hunt


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• Preparing for interviews• Going on interviews• Writing thank-you letters after the interviews• Continuing to apply for jobs while you go on

interviews and wait for next steps• Negotiate for salary and so on if you do get an

offer• Follow up steps with references, exams you

might have to take, and so on


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• Managing your finances, especially if you are out of work for a while

• Managing your finances in order to try to maintain or improve your credit score, because a bad score can damage your chances of getting certain jobs

• Branding yourself as an expert in your field• Marketing yourself online• Running your own small business or money-

making concernshttp://EternalSpiralBooks.com/questions

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It will be nice not to have to work 9 to 5 all the time, so do allow yourself a bit of freedom, but do not overdo it. Actively search for a new job, or continue to do the things you like most about your career until a new opportunity presents itself.

Take Advantage of Some Time Off9

The supreme accomplishment is to blur the line between work and play.

-Arnold Toynbeehttp://EternalSpiralBooks.com/questions

Create a Timetable

• It is great to enjoy a little time off, but in a competitive job market, there is no time to waste.

• The higher your salary when you lost your job, the longer it will take to find a new one in many cases

• In some professions, it can take a minimum of 3 months to land a similar post

• BUT, if you are good at what you do and have a network, you might get an offer sooner than you think

• Plan a 9 to 5 working day for your job hunt, to be prepared no matter what happens

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Make your time off count by getting training, gaining knowledge and developing new work skills.

Strengthen your typing/keyboarding skills. Take a class to fill in gaps in your field.

Seek out any other training or education you need:

Skills to help you make money online, eg, affiliate marketing

Skills to help you run your own business online, eg, setting up a blog or membership site


Make the Most of Your Now-Flexible Schedule

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Keep a calendar

• Use a paper calendar and a digital calendar to remind yourself of all your important dates and to keep track of the time passing

• Have it handy if you are called by anyone asking for you to come to interview, to avoid scheduling conflicts

• When you do have to leave the house for appointments, try to make the most of the day by networking, going to places that can help you in your job hunt, and so on, especially if you have to commute a significant distance

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Keep a to-do list

The dullest pencil can be better than the sharpest mind. Write down all of your most important tasks each day or for the week on a to do list.• A small notebook that can easily fit into pocket

or purse is ideal• Do the items and cross them off. If the items

carry over into the next day, type them up on your computer and use the strikethrough to cross them off one by one


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Keep a log of your activities

• Log all the jobs you apply for• Log all your major accomplishments for the day• You can use your to do list as your log as well if

you add the dates the items were accomplished• Note down any new initiatives you start as well,

and expected completion dates. For example, if you start a new 10-week course in advanced Excel, note down your start day and projected finish date


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Time is money

Use your time off to expand your professional horizons.

Sharpen job skills, take a class or get more education and training.

When that next job opportunity comes along, you'll be ready.

Get started with each of the money making opportunities you think are right for you. Try to make each stream of income as automated as possible, such as coaching and consulting


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Say No to Time-Wasters and Time-Eaters

• Your time is NOT free-do not do favors for people• Insist on getting paid fairly for any freelance work

you do• Decide on your per hour value and stick to it-if you

are not earning at least minimum wage from everything you do, you are short-changing yourself and your financial future

• Time is money-start your own business rather than fritter away time playing video games or engaging in activities that do not earn money, or even cause you to spend what you don’t have


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Use Your Spare Time Wisely• If you not have a fully funded emergency fund for your

household to cover expenses such as rent and utilities for the next 3 to 6 months, take steps to start earning more right away

• Starting your own small business can help you earn extra income now and in the future

• Even when you get a full time job again, the automated streams of revenue you set up can keep on earning for you, even when you are at work, or asleep

• Use your small business to meet your professional and financial goals for the future

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Organization and follow up are key so you do not miss out on any golden opportuniities.

Follow Up in an Organized Way18


• Perform some type of follow-up after making contacts in your job search. Follow-up via telephone call, written letter or email. When employers remember you favorably, they are much more likely to recall you when they need to hire new employees.

• When you consistently provide follow-up communications, people will definitely remember your good manners and stellar work ethic.

• Don’t forget the thank-you email or letter after an interview-it can help you cinch the deal.

Follow Up is Key at Every Step of the Job Seeking Process

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The Thank You Letter/Email• Thank them for their time• Mention a couple of aspects of the interview that

went well and show you would be a good match, if you want the job

• If you do want the job, say you look forward to any next steps in the process

• If you do not want the job after all after interviewing, thank them for their time anyway-never burn any bridges in your industry


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Following Up in Other Areas• Stay on top of your unemployment benefit tasks• Attend any interviews or meetings you may be

requested to attend• Attend any free seminars or workshops

available• Attend any free classes, such as computer

classes, being given• Use the free resources available, such as a

library, database and so on • Attend any small business seminars-it is one of

the ways they get people off the unemployed list

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These things take time• Sometimes you will not hear anything because

of internal issues in the company, not you• Sometimes you will be invited back for another

interview, or test of your skills• Sometimes you will be invited back because a

new situation has arisen with regard to staffing, or a new post has opened up that you might be considered better suited to

• Sometimes you will be invited to work on a project right away, with a view to offering you a permanent position if you do well

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Make the most of every chance

Some opportunities may not seem ideal, but could lead to better things. • You might get a chance to work in a top

company, which can really add to your resume• You might be eager to switch careers, in which

case, take whatever is offered to get a foot in the door and real experience

• If you are really good at what you do, you can afford to be choosy-take the position best suited to your career goals, even if if might mean less money in the short term

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Evaluate your progress honestly

• Debrief after each interview• Add any tricky questions to your interview preparation

list• Re-evaluate the kinds of jobs you are applying for or

sources of those ads if you are not getting interviews, or interviews but no job

• Are you asking the right questions on your interviews?• Are you presenting yourself in a polished manner?

http://EternalSpiralBooks.com/questions can help with these issues

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http://eternalspiralbooks.com/questions


Adults are always asking little kids what they want to be when they grow up because

they're looking for ideas. -Paula Poundstone

Your Career, Your Way25


YOU are in Charge of Your Actions

• It is easy to feel powerless when you lose your job, but taking action to position yourself correctly for your job hunt is one of the best ways to land the job of your dreams

• Continue on your current career path, or take a new fork in the road, it is up to you

• Market yourself like a pro online and offline and see what new opportunities arise

• Gain the kinds of skills and knowledge you need to become your own boss


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Set Goals, and Milestones• In part 4, we talked about setting career goals• When you set your career goals, also set

milestones to measure your progress• Track your progress each month to make sure

you are on track to meet your goals, or need to set new ones

• When you have achieved a goal, mark it as done, and set a new one

• Repeat your tracking until you achieve all your goals

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The Best is Yet to Come

• Although looking for a job when you don’t already have one is stressful and scary, keep in mind that it could also be the opportunity of a lifetime.

• Use these tips to help you create your own opportunities and you could end up happier and better-paid than ever.

• Maintain a positive attitude-see challenges, not problems.

• Manage your stress-eat and sleep well, exercise, and use stress relievers like meditation, yoga, etc.

• Good luck in your job search!

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Credits

Thank you to Evelyn Trimborn and Carolyn Stone for the content and Joan Mullally for producing this deck and the entire series and set of worksheets. If you have not seen all 5 parts of the series, go to http://EternalSpiralBooks.com/presentation to view all 5 slideshows.


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http://eternalspiralbooks.com/presentation



Further Reading

Questions You Need to Ask on Your Next Job Interview http://EternalSpiralBooks.com/questionsAnd our article on Legitimate Money-Making Ideashttp://eternalspiralbooks.com/money-making/

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http://eternalspiralbooks.com/money-making/

http://eternalspiralbooks.com/money-making/