7 days at a time: Break down your job search in weekly chunks
Before the pandemic hit, most career advisers would suggest allotting 20 weeks for a job search. “And not just
for any job,” says Thomas Clara, an executive coach in Providence, Rhode Island. “But for a job you really want.”
Today, things are a bit different. And more than ever, the length of your job search depends on your industry. “In some cases, you’ll get snatched up in a couple of weeks but not every career is gangbusters,” says Clara. “You have to know what you’re up against.”
The best way to do that, according to Clara and others, is to break down your job search into a weekly plan.
Therese Pasqualoni, a behavioral therapist and public health specialist, says that when you’re looking for work — especially if you quit or were laid off from your previous job — it’s important to recognize that your typical daily regimen has been disrupted. “We need a plan of action with a go-get-it attitude to keep our minds and bodies stimulated to improve future employment opportunities, and, most of all, decrease
issues associated with depression-like symptoms,” she says.
To avoid falling into this trap, we’ve compiled a week-by-week to-do list for use during your unemployment period.
Week 1: Assess your situation
.Do you have any severance pay or other sources of income forthcoming? If not, register with a temp agency to ensure a
steady source of pay, even if it’s just part time. If possible, file for unemployment. If you’ve been living paycheck to paycheck, don’t delay. Find an alternative source of income as soon as possible.
Week 2: Let go and move on.
Residual feelings of resentment and anger may still be plaguing you. Now is the time to let those emotions go and begin rebuilding your career. Grieve the loss of your job. Take some time to reflect on what you had and what you left behind. And then move on. Explore
your various career interests and options. Look for information online and talk to people who have similar career goals.
Week 3: Find your target.
Aim for the employers you want to work for. Search job sites and send your resume to the opportunities you feel qualified for.
Call each employer you applied with one week later to make sure they received your application, unless there is a do-notcall notice on the job posting. This step could move your resume up in the pile.
Week 4: Put yourself out there.
It’s been noted time and again that networking helps you get where you want to be. Reputable professional networking sites, such as LinkedIn, are not just an advertising ploy — they work. Statistically, the more people you network with, the more likely you are to obtain job leads.
Week 5: Update and evaluate.
Five weeks into your job search, you may find yourself with much different career goals than you had just a month ago. If this applies to you, clearly write out your new career aspirations and tweak your cover letters and resume accordingly.
Weeks 6 and beyond: Keep at it.
The average employer takes about six to eight weeks to hire someone after posting a job ad so don’t be discouraged if you have yet to hear from anyone. Continue networking and keep up the momentum you’ve created.