Great Occupations

I’m interested to see if the stats will change with this most recent census. Back in 2006, the US Census Bureau found out that 2/3 of job seekers spent a mere 5 hrs or less per week on their job search. So much for the old adage, “a job search is a full time job in itself”!

In the Job Search Boot Camp, Jay & I discuss the importance of time management during the job hunt. We go pretty deep on this subject, providing monthly and weekly schedule templates for the general search, as well as the Targeted Job Search.

But we don’t even come close to suggesting that you spend 40 hours a week looking for work. I love to write, but, hey, I would never spend 40 hours per week writing (at least I don’t think I would…). So, even if you absolutely adore job hunting, which I highly doubt, we don’t recommend doing nothing but that for 40 hours per week.

Let’s look at some Time Management 101 Tips:

Time Online
Since answering postings on job boards and at company websites is a necessary, but low return-on-investment activity, then it should be done during the non-prime time spots on your daily calendar. I suggest you spend time on the computer responding to ads and doing whatever online research you need to do during the early part of the day, like from 8:30am to 10:00am, and then again in the late afternoon at around 2:30 or 3:00pm.

Time Networking
Since networking is a high return-on-investment activity, it should be acted upon during the prime-time parts of your day. Not only is this smart for your energy expenditure, it’s very logical. Between the prime business day hours of 10am and 2pm, you’re most likely to interact with people. That’s when you’ll be able to schedule coffee and lunch dates, exchange emails, attend luncheon events, etc.

Time Exercising & Playing
Yes, you’re reading that correctly. Studies show that exercising increases your chances of getting hired quickly. So be sure to schedule it into your calendar. Also, make room on your calendar to enjoy yourself just like you did when you were fully employed. Since Friday’s not the best day to be interviewing or making your job search dreams come true, why don’t you make that your personal reward day for the week’s successes?

If you’re interested in checking out the Job Search Boot Camp, click here. For $97 you’ll get 4.5 hours of recorded classes and a 50+ page workbook chock full of tips, samples, worksheets and resources to help you get a job faster. An intense program that contains industry insider advice and materials you won’t find in the typical job search book over at your local Barnes & Nobles.

Angela Loëb is an author, speaker and co-owner of Great Occupations. She and her partner, Jay Markunas, help people make successful career transitions through workshops, webclasses and 2×1 individualized coaching services. Listen to them on The Job Search Boot Camp Show on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays. Find out more at www.greatoccupations.com.

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