Change is scary in any facet of your life. If you’re embarking on a job search, it can feel daunting, stressful, and downright overwhelming. But, before you start firing off your resume, it’s important to stay organized, track your progress, and focus on creating a positive mindset. Below are simple things you can do to set proper parameters that will keep your equilibrium for an upcoming job search.
Research Firms And Companies Before Applying
Before you start firing off your resume, analyze the job posting, and see what’s required from the candidate. Cross-reference the job posting and make sure that your resume aligns with the responsibilities and qualifications needed. Don’t forget to prioritize bullet points. Each bullet point should have a strategy behind it with enough context that allows you to open the conversation and build upon it in an interview. Don’t overlook the importance of optimizing your LinkedIn profile to prime it for the job search. Ensure that your resume and LinkedIn profile align with job titles, companies, and dates of employment.
Next, head over to the company or firm’s website and their LinkedIn page. Learn their mission, values, and corporate culture. Focus on digging into things that interest you about the position and the company. Make sure to connect those dots in your cover letter. Research who at the company is most active on LinkedIn and observe what they are writing about. Determine if that person will be a good point of contact for you when making outreach.
Prepare Your Email Accordingly
Be sure to have an email address that’s separate for your job search. This will prevent you from having a cluttered inbox and possibly overlook (and miss) important job-related email communications. Additionally, create master templates for your cover letter, follow-up, and thank you notes. This will speed up the process when you do apply, so you’re just simply adding to templates and customizing them, instead of reinventing the wheel. Don’t overlook turning on job alerts from sites like LinkedIn, goinhouse.com, and your state bar association.
Create A Job Search Spreadsheet
A job can be posted on a search board today and gone tomorrow. A job search spreadsheet is a simple tool that will keep you organized, structured, and allow you to track your progress. It’s important to have diligent notes that document when you sent out your resume, who you reached out to at the firm/company to establish a connection with, and the date(s) you followed-up with that person, as well as outcomes.
Open Excel, and make columns for each of the following:
- Position title
- Company name
- Job description (highlight important keywords in yellow)
- One to four key persons of interest at the company that you will make outreach to
- Progress notes
Keeping the job description in the spreadsheet will enable you to have the information to review if you get called for an interview and the position is subsequently removed from the website. Print out information about the company and keep it in a folder. This way, if you do get called for an interview, it’s easily accessible for preparation.
Stay Busy And Create A Schedule
If you’re job searching, it’s important to stick to a structured schedule and routine. This means setting aside time for researching roles, applying to roles, and following-up with companies and firms. You will also want to ensure you are keeping your body healthy and your mind focused. Job searching (whether you’re gainfully employed or between roles) can take a toll on you mentally and physically. That means taking breaks for meals and exercise to keep your energy levels and stamina elevated.
Utilizing these tips can help take your job search to the next level and make it work to your advantage. Have additional questions about your job search? Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn.
Wendi Weiner is an attorney, career expert, and founder of The Writing Guru, an award-winning executive resume writing services company. Wendi creates powerful career and personal brands for attorneys, executives, and C-suite/Board leaders for their job search and digital footprint. She also writes for major publications about alternative careers for lawyers, personal branding, LinkedIn storytelling, career strategy, and the job search process. You can reach her by email at wendi@writingguru.net, connect with her on LinkedIn, and follow her on Twitter @thewritingguru.