There’s a lot of work that goes into a successful job search, and depending on your field or level, a search may demand a big time and effort commitment. Looking at everything you should be doing may leave you feeling less than excited at the process. If you’re like me, procrastination isn’t even second nature, it’s business as usual. Here are 4 quick productivity tips & resources to help keep you on track and that will have you feeling like an accomplished job search pro.
1. Set Goals: There’s nothing worse than psyching yourself up to do something you don’t want to do, and not having a plan for getting it done. The task feels monumental, you get discouraged, and you walk away with nothing but frustration for your troubles. Start by breaking down your big task into little things that you can accomplish quickly and easily. When you set small, achievable goals, you’ll be more encouraged to take on the bigger tasks that might not yield results as quickly.
2. Share Your Search: Know other people who are also searching for work? Have a group of close friends who support your efforts? Meet with them regularly. People are more accountable when others know what they are doing. They will ask you about it, and that makes you more likely to stay active in your search. Other examples are job search clubs, or even job searching groups online. Whoever you share your search with, just make sure they are supportive of your efforts. You’ll be more engaged, and you should feel positive after every conversation.
3. Plan Your Search: Whether you use a spreadsheet, a calendar, Trello (my personal favourite) or a good old day planner, make sure that you are writing out what you have to accomplish that day and marking it complete. The more visual or quantifiable your effort, the more likely you are to keep up with it. Nobody likes working hard and not seeing results, so give yourself a visual cue. You might even consider posting a copy on your refrigerator at home or any other place you pass by frequently.
4. Be Regular: Are you a morning person or a night owl? Find a time of day or night where you can spend 30 minutes focused on your search. It doesn’t sound like much, but if you have planned your search activities, you’ll find that 30 minutes is a lot more productive than zero. Keeping to the same time will help you form a new habit and kick your old habit of procrastinating.
Have other suggestions for breaking the procrastination habit? Share them on LinkedIn, Twitter (@Cate_Maybrey), or email me at cmcoachingservices@gmail.com. I’m always up for new tips & strategies
