Blog Post: How to make a GOOD job search plan or the best way to eat an elephant

Question:  What's the best way to eat an elephant?

A:  with fava beans and a nice chianti 
B:  very gingerly
C:  one bite at a time

The correct answer is C

If you're looking for a gig in 2009, you need a plan.  It's that simple.  Flying blind is NOT the way to roll, especially in this competitive market.  

So how do you do it?  What makes a good plan?  First, let's talk about what makes a lousy plan, a rotten plan, a plan that smells like the leftover fuzzy thing in the back of the fridge.  A bad plan places too much emphasis on willpower and attitude and too little emphasis on concrete steps and goals.  A bad plan says "if I just want it badly enough, it'll happen."  Guess what... it may not.  It's too easy to get sidetracked by being human.  Humans get frustrated with technology.  Humans get nervous because the mortgage is due.  Humans get angry because they've been laid off.  

I'm not saying that a good attitude isn't important.  It may be the single most important aspect of the hunt, but you'll need more than just Pollyanna's personality to get you over the hump.  For you math-ie types, dig my little equation:  

Great Attitude + Workable Plan + Persistence = Success in 2009
In the face of challenging circumstances, you need a methodical and disciplined approach with measurable, attainable goals.  Let's see how that might play out.  

Step 1-Create a routine.  In the words of my boss..."what gets scheduled gets done."  I hate it when she's right.  It's important to create a routine for your job search.  Set the alarm clock and get out of bed on time.  Take a shower and get dressed.  The pay might stink, but job searching is now your full time gig and you don't want to be late.  This keeps you sharp and disciplined, easing your transition back into the workforce.  You can't afford to dissolve into the couch cushions.  Don't give yourself time to lose your mojo.  

Step 2-Set goals for each day, week, and month.  Begin to write down your plan.  What will you accomplish by the end of each day?  What will you accomplish by the end of the week, the month?  How many calls will you make?  How many companies will you research?  How will you research those companies?  How will you track what you've learned?  When will you prepare your resume?  Who will help you with the preparation and proofreading of your resume?  What job search websites will you use?  How will you keep track of all the jobs to which you've applied?  Assign a reasonable deadline to each action item.  By breaking big scary tasks into little "no big deal" tasks, you set yourself up for sucess.  Eat the elephant one bite at a time. 

Step 3-Others help you stay on track.  Share your plan with someone your trust and ask them to hold you accountable.  You might say something like, "ask me if I did what I was supposed to do today, and if I say 'no', you can hit me with the frying pan."  This makes it fun for everyone, see.

Have questions about creating your job search plan...respond to my post or send me an email doug.mayes@jobing.com.  

Take care and Happy New Year!

Doug