A Productive Job Search Needs Time and Process for Success

A Productive Job Search Needs Time and Process for Success Wow, This Job Search Process Takes So Much Time! After mentoring and hiring hundreds  of job seekers, the  most common  response I  get when I give advice on job search process  is,  â€œWow, this takes so much time!”  I’m even more concerned by  the  statement that most often follows right behind;  â€œI don’t have the time to put into this.”     I’m convinced there  are two types of  job seekers today: those who are  committed  and those who are  hobbyists. Which one are you?     The  committed  job seeker (both the employee  searching internally  in his or her own company  and  the person  looking at new companies)  is  willing to block the appropriate amount of time, put in the hard labor required, and perform at the highest quality level. Every written and spoken word and every action is thought through, checked and re-checked, and meets  the highest standards possible.     Here are the entry level criteria to be considered  committed:   Describe  your  job goal in writing  and state  it  clearly to your network.   Build your job search tools such as a tracking spreadsheet and  use  your personal productivity technology to manage follow-up.   Prepare  your sales approach:  how you will position yourself to hiring managers, what  is  your value to them, and how you will present yourself?   Research positions, companies, industries, interview answers,  and more.   Network with precision follow-up;  build two-way relationships for the long term.   The  hobbyist  job seeker cuts  corners, believes  he or she is  entitled to get a job, and tends  to be the victim of others’ inadequacies.  His or her  work is sloppy, riddled with errors,  and ordinary.  The hobbyist’s  excuses range from,  â€œThere is no point in doing all this research,” to “Why waste time on process when I should just be sending out my résumé?”   And, unfortunately, here are the symptoms of being a  hobbyist:   “I’ve been applying to multiple jobs but  have gotten  no interviews.”  or “There are no jobs out there.”   “I updated my résumé  and added the right keywords. That should be enough.”   Spend 1-5 hours per week on your job search, thinking that’s enough.   Securing some phone interviews but not  getting  in any face-to-face interviews.     No organized process behind your job search. Yellow sticky notes, doodles on pieces of paper.   R.A.A. â€" Random Acts of Application â€" applying to the wrong positions based on your background and not having a clear position goal.   How do you move  from  hobbyist  to  committed?    Follow these three steps:     Re-boot your entire job search  process from beginning to end and follow an organized process.     Stop applying and start being smart and strategic first. Execute second.     Accept the fact that the investment at the beginning of your job search will result in a speedier and  better-quality  outcome â€"  and  a better job! Join Dana Manciagli’s Job Search Master Class ® right now and immediately access the most comprehensive job search system currently available!