Getting Organized

From WorkQuest

Getting Organized

Out of work? Unemployed? Laid off?  How
about telling your friends and family that you're now a Free Agent?
 Your job search is now your full time job.

Begin by planning out each day to maximize
your efforts. The first thing you need is a calendar, electronic or
paper - either one will work but it is essential to have one functional
calendar. Eventually, after laying the groundwork, your days will be
filled with networking events, follow-up calls and emails, career fairs
and interviews.  

Here are some tips to help you will stay organized!

The following can either be done with an
actual binder and paper or can be organized in files on your computer -
either option achieves the same purpose - staying in control of your
job search.  Don't be rifling through pages of notes when a potential
employer calls you back!

Staying organized will make you more effective and productive.

You may want to use an Excel Spreadsheet
or your Outlook Contacts and Calendar, but, let's say you want to use a
more traditional method. Invest in a three ring binder and fill it with
lined paper, add a set of dividers and make titles for the tabs. Think
about how you want to organize your binder, some of the tabs might be
labeled:

• Target Companies


• Research


• Resume Status


• Interviews


• Follow Up


• Job descriptions


• Contacts

After you've got your daily planner and
binder organized, electronic or traditional - let's talk about planning
out your day. It's critical to set daily goals and action items for
yourself. You and I both know that being out of work can be an
emotional rollercoaster. Your attitude about this career journey is
just as important as the steps you take. I have found that if you keep
track of what you've accomplished each day and if you feel productive -
it's easier to keep that positive attitude. 

Ask yourself the following questions about your current job search activities.

• How many resumes do you send out a day?


• How many face to face interviews have you had?


• How much time are you spending researching companies?


• How much time do you spend following up on your resumes?


• When is the last time you changed your cover letter or resume?

The definition of insanity is to repeat
the same process over and over expecting different results, so if
you're not satisfied with these numbers then let's figure out what we
have to change to achieve the results you want.

Analyze each action. If you haven't
identified at least 20 target companies to start researching, the odds
are much less that you'll get an interview. If you're sending out 20
resumes a day with no results, you'll have to change your strategy. 
For now, take note of the numbers and we'll talk more about specifics
later in the book.

Here are some sample Action Items you might accomplish on any given day:

• 
  Identify Five new Target Companies
  


• 
  Research each new Target Company
  


• 
  Identify the appropriate Contact person
  


• 
  Go to the Gym
  


• 
  Mail or Email Five Resumes with Cover
  Letters to the appropriate Contact you've identified at each of the
  Five Companies you've targeted
  


• 
  Follow up on the Resumes you sent out the prior week
  


• 
  Identify three new Networking Sources
  


• 
  Attend Chamber Meeting tonight
  

-Linda Noland