The best way to create your best job is to make your job search your full-time job. When we tell people that, they often ask how they can spend 40 hours a week actively seeking employment.
The 5 Stages of a Job Search
Finding a job is a process that involves these stages:
Stage 1 – Identifying target employers and finding out how to contact them
Stage 2 – Submitting a tailored cover letter and resume
Stage 3 – Following up
Stage 4 – Scheduling, preparing for and attending interviews
Stage 5 – Following up on interviews
You might be at the beginning stage with some employers while you go through later stages with others.
What to Do Every Day
Monday through Friday set your alarm and get up like you have to be at work during regular business hours. Get dressed and get started like you have to clock in. Re-read the insight you gained from your review of your previous jobs. Every day accomplish the following:
- Identify five new targets and how to contact them.
- Edit your resume and cover letter for each of the five prospective employers. Mail or submit them electronically according to job posting requirements.
- Follow up on previously sent resumes.
- If you have an interview scheduled, research the company with which you’re interviewing and practice answering common interview questions.
- Follow up on previous interviews.
Your main objective is to get face-to-face interviews with the decision maker who can hire you for your target role. Continue the process until you have multiple interviews scheduled and the possibility of job offers.
It’s also helpful to schedule informational interviews. Contact people currently working in the position you want. Ask them to share what they do and how they landed the job in the first place. You’ll receive valuable insight, and they might have contacts in your desired field.
Keeping Track of It All
If you’re sending five resumes a day, things could start to run together. Document your efforts so you don’t lose track or miss a follow-up. If you’re a paper and pencil person, grab your spiral and sketch out grids. If you prefer virtual records, create a spreadsheet. Here’s an example setup.
Stage 1 – Identifying Target Employers and Key Contacts
Stage 2 – Cover Letter and Resume Tracking
Stage 3 – Follow Up
Stage 4 – Scheduled Interview
Stage 5 – Follow-Up
Brelsford Personnel specializes in helping people find work mostly in these areas of specialization:
- Accounting and Financial Services
- Administrative Office Support
- Marketing
- Sales
- Business Development
- Oil and Gas Staff
- Human Resources
- Legal Support
- Customer Service
- Information Technology
- Operations
- Healthcare Administration
If you’re looking for work in those areas, experience our fresh approach when you get in touch.