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Perhaps one of the most challenging aspects of launching any job search campaign is putting together a system that will allow you to be effective, targeted, results-focused and consistent. This is particularly true if you are conducting your executive job search full-time while being employed full-time. But there are tricks you can use to stay engaged and suppress the urge to get discouraged in your search.
Tip #1: Stay Organized
There is nothing like the prospect of cleaning up a mess to really cause you to drag your feet. From the moment your executive job search begins, you want to make doubly sure every detail of the plan is laid out, leaving only the execution to be done. Even with the best-laid plans, there may be times when you can only watch in dismay as your plan falls through. Script every move of your job search with a task, objective and deadline for meeting the objective. Treat hunting for a job as you would any other high profile project.
For more on organizing your job search, read “Get Your Job Search Organized,” by C.J. Hayden.
Tip #2: Don’t Get Stuck in the Planning Stage
It’s easy to look up from your all of your organizing and realize you’re stuck in the planning stage. When there are plenty of options and the stakes are high, it’s natural to over-analyze your next move. The remedy to paralysis by analysis is acknowledging the fact that nothing is perfect and time is not infinite. Create a strategy. Act on it. If things get messed up along the way, fix them.
Tip #3: Anticipate Low Motivation Days
To reach most any goal, a mission should include aspects of the plan you don’t mind doing as well as tasks you could most certainly live without. Use the ho-hum days to take care of the things you like doing most.
Tip #4: Use Time as Your Ally
One good way to avoid burnout is to time your tasks. From start to finish, the job search can be quite a massive undertaking. Separate your big “to-do” into smaller objectives. Make a seemingly unending list of tasks seem more palatable by putting a timer to each task on your list.
In general, you should spend somewhere between 2 and 5 hours a day on your executive job search. Divvy up job search activities like refining your resume, self-improvement, target company research, and internet research. Write follow-up notes by activating the countdown feature on your phone so that when the time allotted for each task is up, the bell will go off and you can move on to the next activity. Believe it or not, adding the pressure of an audible alarm to your work load makes time go by faster. Here’s a popular timer app for Android from Google Play and one for iPhone.
When it comes to looking for a job, financial pressure is often one of the primary drivers for many job seekers. If you are working and searching, you will likely have to employ other motivators to keep your job search and your momentum consistent throughout what could be a months-long campaign.
If you are already beginning to experience job search burnout, get back on track – read “3 Tactics to Overcome Job Search Depression.”
Bonus Tip #5: Using a recruiter or job placement specialist can take the stress out of your job search. Stewart, Cooper & Coon offers a full range of Executive Job Search and Placement services.