3 Ways to Focus Your Job Search
- SpeakEasy
- Apr 6, 2016
- 2 min read
The job search can become overwhelming and intimidating really quickly. There are dozens of job sites, with hundreds of job listings, to browse through. Bringing focus to your job search can help you stay on the right path through it all.
It will take some time upfront to reflect and evaluate yourself, but it will be well worth it to keep you from getting frustrated and overwhelmed by the process. If you don’t know where to start don’t worry -we do! Try our three ways to focus your job search.
1. Know Your Why
Taking the mindset of “I just need a job,” and spending time on positions and organizations that don’t interest you, is not fair to yourself or employers. You’re not only wasting your time, but employers too. Knowing your why sets the foundation of your job search, so you can go forward in the right direction.
Define your why by thinking about what it is you want to do, how you can bring an organization value, and the roles you’ve been the happiest in. Next, evaluate the type of organization you want to work with. Think about size, mission, culture and duties. Use your findings to tailor you search, and make sure the positions and organizations you apply to fit.
2. Manage Your Time
Treat job searching as you would any other job, where you schedule meetings and project planning. Try job searching at the same time every day, and planning how you will use your time. Be sure to set clear goals for yourself during the scheduled time. Don’t commit yourself to expanding your network for an hour, instead say “I will reach out to three connections.”
Don’t shut your social life down during the job search process either. The weight of needing to find a job is enough stress already, you don’t need to be consumed by it too. Take time to do things you enjoy and regular activities you would be doing if you had an 8 – 5 job.
3. Focus Your Language
After you have defined your why, you need to be able to communicate it. During the job search, you are sending emails, writing cover letters, putting together resumes, and contacting connections. With all of those tasks, it is important to focus your language to ensure whoever is on the other side is understating you clearly and accurately.
For example, instead of saying, “I’m looking for a job in communications,” you would say, “I’m looking for a content management position within a small organization.”
With all of this said, being focused is different than being inflexible. There will be highs and there will be lows. Try to be flexible and have an open mind, and use these tips to stay focused on what really matters- your goals and dreams.
