5 Simple steps to jump-start your career search momentum: Get proactive and strategic!

By: Barbara Barde, Barde Career Solutions

January 2010

1. Don’t job search 7 days a week.  Set a schedule to look and search for work productively.  Continued daily job searching will lead to “burn out” and frustration.  Set a schedule to search for work either Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 9-12pm, or Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, etc.  Leave a few days a week to volunteer at a local nonprofit, attend a charity event, work out at a local gym, etc.  What is most important is taking care of your mental well being as you look and search for work.
2. Don’t just apply to open positions, get strategic in your job search approach.  Take time to identify and target 5-10 companies or organizations that are interesting and that you can see yourself working for.  Developing a tracking sheet to identify these companies and gather information about them, including any contact data or information, size, financial status/sustainability, people or contacts you may know who are currently working or who may have a network contact there.  By targeting companies that are a better fit culturally and for your skill set, you will have a greater chance connecting and hopefully receive an interview.
3. Don’t forget to take advantage of every opportunity to network, network, and network. Some of your best networking leads can be found at social gatherings, such as a friends dinner or birthday party, a family celebration event, or while shopping for groceries at your local market.  Set a goal to make 1-3 new contacts a week and make sure you add them to your LinkedIn account or network tracking sheet. The stronger and deeper your contacts and network, the greater your chances are connecting to a solid lead and/or career opportunity.
4. Don’t forget to continually cultivate and foster your network, not just establish the links as mentioned above.  Cultivation is key! Staying in touch and keeping your connection and/or relationship strong can make a big difference.  As the saying goes…it is not what you know today, but who you know, that can help make all the difference…Take advantage of every opportunity to grow and cultivate your contacts and network.  Every week, identify 5-10 of your contacts to call, email, and touch base with.  Let them know your status and keep them abreast of your progress.
5. Don’t let your resume get stuck in a pile; get smart and strategic about when to send a potential company/employer your resume.  Keep in mind, that sending a resume over the weekend via email, will only ensure you are one of many emails being submitted.  Instead, consider sending your resume Monday morning before 8am instead if necessary.  Actually, it has been documented and found that the best time to send a resume to a perspective company or employer is Tuesday through Thursday during the day and before 5pm.  After- hour submittals become one of many – not one on top – take time to be seen and hopefully chosen by getting strategic with your resume submittals – it could make all the difference!!