Looking for a new job can seem like a daunting task, to say the very least.
On top of that, the coronavirus crisis has upended job markets all around the world. Unemployment numbers are higher than they’ve been for quite a while, and they’re likely not going to return to 2019 levels anytime soon. Because of this, job seekers today are going to face stiff competition from other candidates.
To make sure you go about your job search in an effective manner and to give you the best chance at landing great interviews as soon as possible, follow our 30-day job search plan.
What is a 30-Day Job Plan?
Most of us don’t have the luxury of letting the job search drag on for 3–6 months as we find that one perfect fit. And, even if you have enough savings to last that long as you look for another job, the employment gap that’ll be seen on your resume will be a weak point when it comes to future career prospects. Not to mention the increasing cabin fever you’ll have to keep at bay the longer you take finding employment.Our 30-day job plan aims to get you prepared for a new job in just a month, from start to interview. While ambitious, it’s also quite doable if you can stick with the plan with only minor deviations.
Things to Keep in Mind as You Search for Jobs
You can find yourself a job in as little as a day, sure, but it may also take months. In 2014, recruiting software company Jobvite conducted a survey in which they found that the average time it took for a person to get employed was 43 days (just over six weeks).However, there are also differences in each industry, as you might imagine. In the same survey, hospitality jobs took just 36 days to fill on average, an entire week less than average, while healthcare jobs needed 65 days, or three weeks more than the average.
According to 2020 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 35% of people were able to find a job in five weeks or less, meaning a 30-day job search plan is quite feasible.
One of the most important things to do is to treat your job search as you would an actual job. Spend 30–40 hours on your job search each week and work at it each day without interruptions or side chores to give your hunt for employment the best possible chance to be successful.
Also, remember that everyone’s job search is different, so this plan (or any job plan, for that matter) can’t be a one-size-fits-all deal. Below, for example, you’ll find interview-related tasks in the later weeks, but they’re just as relevant in Week 1 if that’s when your interview is.
One final thing to keep in mind is that the job search can be quite similar to starting a new exercise regime. You’ll have to give it some time before you start seeing results, and it’ll be a lot of hard work at first. But, if you stick with it, you’re sure to have interview opportunities coming through in no time.
The 30-Day Job Search Action Plan, Week by Week
Week 1 (Days 1–7)
The first week of your 30-day job search plan will be a lot more difficult and packed with activities than the subsequent weeks. If I may put two idioms together, as you start pounding the pavement, you need to hit the ground running. However, once you get through the recommended job search tasks for this week, you’ll have an easier time in the weeks ahead as these actions begin to bear fruit.Fix Up Your LinkedIn Profile — In the professional world, your LinkedIn profile is crucial to have. Be sure your LinkedIn profile is in good shape by updating your profile image, adding your latest work history, achievements, and skills, and redefining your summary statement.
Cleanse Your Online Presence — Most employers will do a quick (if not more thorough) check of each candidate on Google to see what comes up. As a candidate, ensure nothing offensive or controversial appears by searching your name on Google now. Also, clear up any material on your social media accounts which may cause a hiring manager to dismiss your application (e.g., political Twitter rants, photos of drunkenness on Facebook).
Create a “Master” Resume — Update your resume to contain the most recent information. However, this master resume won’t be the one you send, as each resume should be tailored specifically for each and every job you apply for. Use the master resume you create now to make it simpler for you to create a customized resume in the coming days.
Create a “Master” Cover Letter — Similarly, a cover letter can’t be generic if it’s to wow the hiring manager. Create a master cover letter now, and later you’ll tweak it for each individual job you apply for.
Build an Online Portfolio — Resumes shouldn’t be more than one or two pages in length, but, sometimes, this may not be enough. If you have project-type work in your past, such as graphic design or marketing campaigns, consider creating a website to host an online portfolio of your past work. There, you can go in-depth on each project, and the only room it requires on your resume is a simple URL.
Decide on Job Titles — Before you actually begin to apply for various jobs, it’s important to know which you are willing to accept. In the modern age, job titles can vary quite differently and all mean similar things. For example, a customer service representative may be termed a “client happiness officer” at one company or a “support ninja” at another. Also, even without the fancy naming conventions, make sure you include every role you’d accept. For instance, you may be a technical writer or legal writer by trade, but a content marketing specialist position could match your interests, as well.
Set Up Job Notifications — Head to a few of your favorite job boards (e.g., LinkedIn, Indeed), and do a preliminary search for your job titles. As you do so, you’ll have the opportunity to save the search to come back to it at a later date as well as the option to receive email alerts when new jobs appear which match your parameters. Doing this will make you very competitive as you’ll become one of the first candidates to apply.
Create a Spreadsheet — The job search can get messy, especially the longer it takes and with the more jobs you apply for. Create a simple spreadsheet for yourself to stay organized. Have columns with the job title, company name, application status, date, and any other fields you find helpful. A job search spreadsheet will make certain that you don’t forget an important opportunity, or that you don’t double-apply to a particular job.
Take a Weekend Off — As essayist Tim Kreider opined in The New York Times, “The space and quiet that idleness provides is a necessary condition for standing back from life and seeing it whole, for making unexpected connections and waiting for the wild summer lightning strikes of inspiration—it is, paradoxically, necessary to getting any work done.” Since you’re treating your job hunt as full-time employment, it’s important to also have a work-life balance as you pound the pavement. Take a weekend off each week during your job hunt just as you would once you begin working again.
See weeks 2-4 and the complete 30 plan
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