6 Steps to Managing Your Job Search

To find your next job you’ll need a process. There are six steps to managing your job search you’ll want to follow. You’ll learn how to create a strategy to help land the right job.

Every day I hear about another friend or family member who has lost their job. I empathize.

The trouble with job search is that no one teaches you HOW to do it. And even if you did learn what to do during a job search, some things have changed.

But what hasn’t changed is the overarching process – there are six steps to managing your job search.

If you follow these steps you’ll know what you’re supposed to be doing besides just tossing your resume around online.

 6 Steps to Managing Your Job Search

Step 1:  Assessment

Assessing your self, and knowing what you want and need from your future job and employer is important. You want to align your purpose with the work you do. You also need to understand the demands in the labor market and industry trends.

Step 2:  Research

Conducting more in-depth research will help you better understand what skills you should highlight and what employers are really looking for.

Step 3:  Presenting Yourself

By this point in the process, you are ready to create your marketing materials (pitch, resume, marketing plan, etc.)

Step 4:  Project Management

The best way to keep your job search on track is to manage it like a project – set goals and deadlines and hold yourself accountable. Manage your job search with a blend of proactive and reactive job search strategies – applying for jobs, networking, building an online presence, using social media and LinkedIn and more.

Step 5:  Interviewing Strategies

In order to perform your best during job interviews, you’ll want to prepare in advance. Honing stories to fit job descriptions, practicing your answers out loud and knowing what questions you’ll ask.

Step 6:  Project update

Every couple of weeks, evaluate the progress you’ve made. Analyze what’s working and what’s not working. And you’ll need to keep track of your job search activities.

Today’s Job Search

Years ago, you started this process by drafting a resume. That is not the best way to begin your job search today.

Here’s why.

In order to craft a resume, you need to understand and include the skills employers are looking for. That’s why this process starts with the really difficult step of self-assessment and market-place assessment.

Networking Is Key

Networking is the key activity to landing a new job. Did you know that over 60% of people find their next job by networking? Randomly”spraying and praying” your resume around with the hope that someone may know of something just doesn’t work.

That is why you need a plan.

• Who do you need to meet inside target companies?
• Who is knowledgeable about your desired occupation?
• Who can you talk to and learn more about potential employers to target?

You need a clear message. (And a clear message can only happen after you have assessed and researched the job market and prepared your marketing materials.)

If managing job search were easy, you wouldn’t need a sherpa to guide you through the process.  Sherpa-ing is what I do.