Are you managing your job search? Or is it managing you?

Posted on June 10, 2016 by Tom Chaplin, One of Thousands of Health and Fitness Coaches on Noomii.

Looking for a new job always seems to take longer than most of us would want. The rule of thumb says to plan on at least one month searching for every 10k dollars in salary. In other words if someone is searching for a 50k dollar job you would spend approximately five months while someone looking for a 100k job would need almost a full year. There are many, many exceptions to this rule and it’s important to consider all the variables that are necessary to conducting an effective search.

High demand skills can significantly decrease the amount of time spent job hunting, even when salaries are high. Someone with a niche technical skill for example typically receives multiple calls from recruiters even when they’re not actively looking. They can pick and choose and land a new job whenever they’re ready, which blows up the rule of thumb.

Another factor to consider is how much time you can devote to job hunting. Are you making it your full-time job to find a new job? It goes without saying that someone spending eight hours a day on their search will naturally uncover many more suitable opportunities at a faster pace than someone who only devotes a few hours per week.

What sources are you using? Many people rely on the internet alone which by itself does not have a high rate of return. It’s important to utilize a variety of sources which are mentioned below.
Regardless of what the rule states, for those in the midst of a job change, it almost always seems to take too long. To make your job transition easier and more productive, follow these seven important steps and you’ll be in the driver’s seat.

1. Get clear and organized – Establish a timeline for yourself. Obviously the goal is to find a new job but give yourself a reasonable deadline. If you’re goal is to start a new job six months from now, list everything that needs to occur and by when in order for you to reach that goal. Be very clear on the type of job you’re looking for too. Many people are open to multiple opportunities which is fine as long as it doesn’t distract you from your ultimate goal. It’s best to pick one or two, maybe three types of jobs to target to keep you focused and on track.

2. Make sure your resume is well written, clean, not overly wordy and easy to read. Have it professionally written if you want. You don’t want your resume to be tossed aside because it appears hard to read. It should tell the reader right up front who you are. Anything you want highlighted or emphasized needs to stand out. Do not include everything you’ve ever done on one resume. That will overwhelm the reader and make your background appear confusing. So yes, it’s a good idea to have two or three versions of your resume that match your targeted jobs.

3. Memorize your twenty to thirty second promo – There are many ways to construct this but keep it flexible so you can easily adapt it to your audience. Awareness of your audience is important so modify the verbiage accordingly i.e., save the heavy technical talk for the company of other developers. Most of all, have fun with it and your enthusiasm will come across. Test it out on a few people and ask for feedback. Does it sound natural? It’s also useful to include the value of what you do in your promo. What is the benefit? How does what I do help?

4. Network on the phone, in person and the internet. Many people rely too heavily on job sites alone to find their next job. This tends to be one of the least rewarding methods and can significantly extend the length of your search. However, when you’re networking efficiently, you not only will increase the number of your connections but increase the odds of uncovering interesting opportunities. It’s a good habit to always ask ‘who do you know?’ Your job is to grow your network by gathering new leads from your existing network.

5. Choose three to five organizations where you’d like to work and reach out to them directly. If you know someone who can refer you to the company, even better. Always maintain an active pool of three to five potential employers. When one drops off, add another. That way you’ll never find yourself in the demoralizing position of starting over.

6. Recruiting agencies, job fairs, job boards. These are all potential sources for your next job. Do not rely on just one. Combining all of the above steps is the best path towards a rewarding job with a higher salary.

7. Interview Preparation – Before the interview, do your homework. Learn as much as you can about the company, the interview team and what the job is about. Be prepared to deliver three to five success stories at any time during the interview. Success stories when used correctly can have a dramatic impact and increase the likelihood of a follow up interview as well as an offer. A necessary step in your interview prep is to know what you are worth in today’s market. What does the industry pay for your skills and experience? If and when salary comes up, you absolutely must be prepared to discuss in terms of what the salary the market supports. You can easily demonstrate your value through success stories so don’t hesitate to repeat one or more when necessary.

Your attitude plays a huge role during this time. When you maintain a positive outlook and follow these seven steps, you’ll be in charge and managing your job transition as well as moving towards a successful outcome.