Now What? Blog
The University of North Dakota Career Services blog is designed to provide career development information 24/7. Our goal is to engage students in answering their career and internship needs while also providing a forum for dialogue.
In addition to contributions from our career professionals we will also periodically add guest posts from students and select employers to give our readers multiple perspectives on issues that make a difference to career success.
*Our blog is an open forum for conversation and information sharing revolving around career topics and trends. We reserve the right to delete inappropriate content from our page.
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Friday, June 22, 2012
Accelerated Job Search Part I: Clarity
Finding a job can be a full-time job. Add the daily hustle and bustle madness we call life into the mix and suddenly finding a huge chunk of time for anything can be difficult. Time is a precious commodity; it is the one thing in the entire world none of us can get back. But while missing an opportunity isn't great, chances are another opportunity will come knocking again. Time is a little different, it's called fleeting for a reason. With that thought in mind, I'm going to spend the next few posts highlighting how to maximize a job search to wring the best effort out of every available moment.
The first step is to get clarity, or to decide where to devote precious time. Unfocused time can leave us stranded in limbo, running about willy-nilly and accomplishing little to nothing. To make the most out of available moments, focus in on individual goals. Figure out the 'what': what career, what company, and what job specifically to target.
Sounds simple, I know. But to make the most out of your efforts, it's crucial to have a plan. Too many job seekers dive head first into searching without figuring out where they are looking! The hasty (as opposed to accelerated), job seeker spends precious energy and time spinning their wheels without actually going anywhere. Avoid a lack of progress by taking a few moments at the beginning of the job search process and get a clear picture of which direction to head in.
One of the worst job search mistakes I see routinely see is when people don't do enough work at the beginning of their search. They end up chasing down false leads and dead ending at multiple points. If someone begins poorly, it is a safe bet they will struggle more along the way.
"Watches are so named as a reminder - if you don't watch carefully what you do with your time, it will slip away from you. ~Drew Sirtors"
Start by thinking about at least 10 potential careers that are a possible match for your skills/interests/values. Research yourself with an eye for compatibility, sustainability, and overall fit. Think briefly about how different companies could phrase a job position. For example, a counselor can be listed as: a therapist, addictions specialist, social worker, mental health professional, a counselor (of course), and on and on.
Pull out 40 (or so) specific companies you'd like to work for that utilize the job titles that fit you. Be open to companies that you have never heard of. These little gems tend to be off the beaten track and often face less competition due of a lack of visibility.
At this stage in the process, it doesn't really matter how realistic your ideas are. Remember the brainstorming technique everyone learned in school called webbing? The initial phase is very broad and diverse; it's all about getting things out of your head and into reality.
This isn't a simple process for everyone, but for everyone who breezes over this point, rest assured, further down the job search process they will struggle. Once there is some clarity of direction, it's easier to move on to the next step: Narrowing Your Search.
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