The job hunter’s schedule
Amanda writes: “I was just laid off. I need to know what a job hunter’s schedule looks like. How can I fill a 40-hour week?” Actually, when you factor in commute time and lunchtime, it’s more like 50-55 hours. That’s a lot of time to be productive — or get lazy.
Initially, you’ll be spending lots of time crafting cover letters and your résumés. (You’ll need two: a chronological one for applications and posting your résumé online and a functional one for networking.) When that flurry of activity ends, you have time to fill. It takes less than 15 hours a week to answer ads, research companies and contact recruiters. Set aside blocks of time to do each.
So how should a job hunter productively use the rest of the time? Networking and skill building. Networking is at the top of the list. Why? More than 70 percent of all new jobs are found by networking. So it makes sense for a job hunter to spend at least 70 percent of the time networking.
When you’re early in your job search, you have a lot of people to call and meet. But after a month or so, most job hunters find themselves looking at the same list of names. That’s bad. The remedies? Expand one’s network through participation in professional associations and volunteer organizations.
Let’s look at professional associations first. There’s one for every interest. You don’t have to pick one in your career field, but doing so will maximize your networking efforts. How do you find one? If your existing network can’t steer you to an association, head for the reference section of your library and ask for “The Encyclopedia of Associations.” Find some of interest and call their headquarters to find out if there’s a local chapter. If there is, ask for the local contact. Call and ask to meet with that person to discuss the organization’s benefits. If you find a good fit, join, inquire about committees and the heads of those committees, and attend the next general meeting.
Contact the committee heads prior to the general meeting. Explain that you’re a new member and are interested in learning about committee functions. Once you find a committee to your liking (membership and program committees are the best ones for network building), join it. Regardless of which committee you join, you’ll immediately add to your base of networking contacts. You can also call non-committee members using the “I’m a new member of the association and would like to find out more about why you joined” approach. I guarantee they’ll take your call.
If there is no local chapter, the networking building possibilities are truly intriguing. You can start a chapter. This will put you in contact with association members at headquarters and on a national level (i.e. How did you start and grow your chapter?). You can call local heads of other associations for input, too. Starting a chapter is a good way to make contacts because you have an excellent reason for them to take your call.
Volunteering at a charity is a great way to make networking contacts, too. Becoming a committee member is the relationship-building key here, too.
When it comes to skill building, fill the gaps to stay on equal footing with other applicants. A good place to start is with computer skills. Don’t think just in terms of the software your former employer had. What are other firms in your industry using? There are numerous computer-training organizations. If you have trouble locating one, contact the software manufacturer for guidance.
What about other skills? Professional competence is important. Obtain coursework and continuing education catalogs from vocational/trade schools, community colleges, universities, etc. The courses/seminars provide your skill benchmark. Make time to get up to speed. Continuing education opens opportunity’s door, too. Your classmates are valuable contacts.
Follow the schedule and your time will be well spent.
So how should a job hunter productively use their time? Networking and skill building. Networking is at the top of the list. Why? More than 70 percent of all new jobs are found by networking. So it makes sense for a job hunter to spend at least 70 percent of the time networking.