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| Photo from: http://www.morguefile.com/creative/hamiltom |
CREATE A WORK SPACE AND SYSTEM
If you are having a difficult
time dealing with being unemployed, you
will gain confidence and hope from your job search activity. Stay organized
and act on every lead as soon as possible without being overly hasty. Note anything positive that happens during the
day, whether or not it is job search related. Make your plan for the next day
so that you have something to look forward to.
Looking for work is
hard! You can make it a lot easier by
using an online job search system like the Lifeworks Fresh Transition Platform. Even if you do, you have
other things you need to organize and pay attention to. If you are using paper to track your job
search then you must be even more diligent!
Email me if you
would like samples of simple paper job logs.
Create a record keeping
system
Create a record keeping system or
use an online job portal for job searching and to keep track of your activities:
Calls and messages sent
Companies
and people contacted
Responses
received
Information gathered about companies
and contacts
Résumé
s sent (and which version)
Meeting
and phone call notes
Interviews
Thank
you notes
Create a workspace
You will want to
set up a workspace where you can work without interruption – if possible a
room separate from the rest of the house and family. If you are limited in space set aside space
in a bedroom. OR, if necessary use a box or tote to contain your supplies that
you can set up in the living room or kitchen. It is crucial that you
keep yourself organized and orderly. You will find this will keep down the
stress level as you get busier in your job search.
Family and
friends should be aware that you will be spending time job searching and should
not be interrupted when in your “space” – whether it is secluded or at the
kitchen table. Having a specific location to “work” will put you
into active job search mode immediately and alert family members that you are
not to be disturbed.
Create or use a
professional email account
If you don’t
already have an email address, you will need to set one up. Use your name in the address so that
employers know that your email is not spam when received – if you already have
an email address, make sure it is professional and, again, it should include
your name. If you do not have an email address including your name, you will
want to consider setting up an email address just for job searching.
Create a
signature for your emails
– it should include the following information: Name, Address, Phone, and
Email. Avoid using stationary,
background color, or other distractions
Create a professional phone
message
Create a
professional outgoing message –
you should state your name and thank the caller for leaving a detailed
message. Use a service that picks up
when you’re on the phone so that you will not miss any important employer
messages. Regarding ring-back tones –
you should call yourself from another phone to hear what an employer will hear
when he or she calls. Try to avoid
anything other than orchestral music and you should certainly not have any
questionable songs or lyrics that might offend.
I highly recommend
following the Job Search Checklist by Janis Ramey, www.technical-writing.net to guide you in your job search
efforts. It was developed for and by STC
WorkQuest™ members. You can obtain a copy here: www.STCWorkQuest.org
Compile Samples and
Certificates
List Samples
and Certificates if you have them. If so, you might want to consider a Portfolio.
This is a bit more of a production than a résumé and is often organized
into a folder with dividers and can be as simple or fancy as will get the job
done. As with some of the above sections,
you may consider including unrelated certificates if it will enhance your
presentation of yourself to the employer.
What keeps you organized? Comment to let me know!
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