Looking for a job can be mind-numbingly frustrating. Whether you are a recent graduate or searching after a layoff, you have time on your hands and that makes it easy to fall down a rabbit hole where your days are spent staring at a computer screen scrolling through jobs. 

If you still have a job but are looking for a better opportunity, the schedule may be very different, but no matter which category you fall into, the most important thing to keep in mind is that you need to stick to a schedule.

The Benefits Of A Job Search Schedule

A job search schedule will keep you on track. You will be able to start at the same time and finish at the same time each day without wasting time staring mindlessly at a screen. A schedule will help you feel better about the process too; with our schedule, you won’t spend all day searching, but you will accomplish enough to feel good.

A job search schedule also helps you to understand when you should start lowering standards. After all, you might be hoping for a management role, but eventually, you may need to get something just to keep the rent paid!

Our Sample Job Search Schedule

Here is a proposed schedule for your job search. If you are working full time while looking for a new job, you’ll need to adjust this schedule to make it work during your downtime.

Monday – Tailor Your Resume And Cover Letter For “Job A”

Your resume needs to be tailored each time you apply for a job, as much as possible. That being said, it takes a lot of time to tailor your resume, so we recommend choosing a job category and tailoring your resume to fit the jobs that would fit in that category.

Example: Tailor your resume for a Java Developer position.

1. Look through your resume and move any projects that show your skill in this area to the forefront.
2. Do a quick google search of “Java Developer Keywords.” Sprinkle some of these words into your resume. Don’t go overboard – it still needs to be easily read.
3. Write a cover letter (which may be used as an email). Don’t take too much time getting this done, just cover the basics: I am looking for this job, this is why I would be a good match for your company (you’ll tailor this further when you apply), and this is how to contact me.

Tuesday – Search For Jobs

As you search, keep in mind that you are working on Job A. If this is the second or third week of your job search, you can always apply for the jobs you targeted on those weeks, but don’t go for new job titles because you haven’t tailored your resume for those yet. This will lead you down the rabbit hole I warned you about.

Keep track of each job by saving the job details and the resume/ cover letter you sent in one place. You will need this in order to follow up.

Wednesday – Take The Search A Step Further

Chances are that you started your search on a job board to start. Job boards are a great place to find jobs, but not always the best place to apply. Job boards are supposed to sync with the employers seamlessly, but that’s not always the case.

Take the time to search out the jobs you applied for yesterday on the employer’s website. Apply on their website and then look them up on social media. Take notes on the culture you see there. Do a lot of employees comment and share their posts? This is a sign of a good culture that employees appreciate. Does it seem like the type of work environment you would enjoy? Next, check out their LinkedIn profile and try to make a connection with someone that could help get your resume to the top of the pile.

During this search, try to gather email addresses or phone numbers of employees that might be able to help you.

Keep all of your notes together with your resume and cover letter info from yesterday.

Thursday – Reach Out To Recruiters

The fastest way to get the results you want is by having a personal coach. This applies just as much to a job search as any other goal you’re trying to reach. The best part about working with a recruiter is that they are your advocate and will help you in every way. The other major benefit is that most of the bigger or faster-growing companies in the nation work with recruiters to hire the right people.

Many of the jobs you’ve applied for through job boards were advertised by recruiters. Now, start networking and reaching out via email, phone, and LinkedIn. The recruiters at Tech One are very personable because they like to get to know the people they work with and make sure they’re a good fit for their client’s culture. Recruiters are not that different from matchmakers! Make friends with your recruiter and they’ll take a lot of the work off your plate.

Friday – Send Out Follow-Ups

This is not a time to be shy. In the sales and marketing world, it is said that you have to get in front of someone seven times before they remember, recognize, and trust you enough to make a sale. This is a similar situation. The more persistent you are, the more likely you are to get the job you deserve. So, follow up on all of the resumes you sent out, reach out to the recruiters you contacted and let them know you’re still looking, and reach out to your LinkedIn connections once more. Make sure you wish them a happy weekend to leave them with a great impression.

Job searching can be very disheartening, but by taking a measured approach and tracking your results each week, you can look at it from a different perspective. This will help you feel better, stay motivated, and present you as an upbeat and positive member of any team.

If you are ready to start your job search now, check out our careers page and see if there’s a job that would suit your skills.

You can find our jobs here:  Careers | Learn About TAP: Technology Apprenticeship Program | Email Us: Contact@techoneit.com | Call Us: 480-449-3333