Let’s face it – the entire process of job search can just be monstrously overwhelming, which is why you have got to get a plan together in order to tackle the monster. It is really best to think about job search as ‘your current job’. Holding this perspective is a way that can enable you to make the most effective use of your time. Here are some tips to include in your planning:

• Schedule your week days around the job search process (don’t take too much time between jobs or graduation to relax, a few is ok, but too many may make you reluctant to get back into the swing of things).
• Allot time to prepare your career marketing tools (resume, cover letter, personal card, overall portfolio).
• Schedule networking meetings, business lunches, informational interviews (if you plan on entering a new field) – stay in process and visible in the marketplace.
• Research your marketplace in order to ‘target’ specific companies.
• If you’re not certain of ‘what’ career you want – plan a personal/career assessment; examine your interests, values, strengths and what motivates you. If you haven’t done this in a while this is the place to start.
• Take time to develop your pitch or brand message.
• Prepare for the ‘phone interview’ process that many employers conduct today.
• Take this opportunity to get up to date with the job market and prepare an ‘online’ portfolio – be visible no matter where you are or where you work.
• Stay up to date with what is going on in your industry.
• Update yourself on interview techniques and practice, practice, practice.
• Plan your week out ahead of time – stick to your ‘job’ of finding a job 40 hrs./week.
• Build your network. If you shy away from the word networking – pick up some of the latest books and reframe your thinking. Here are a couple of good ones: Make Your Contacts Count, by Baber and Waymon – and The Connect Effect, by Dulworth.
• Celebrate your forward movement – take a step forward every day, work to your plan and stay connected.

Posted by Robin Ogden – FiredUP Careers

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