Tick tock...how to win the race against time if you are searching for a job.

Searching for a new job can feel a bit like a race. Often a race against time.

Time for all of us is probably one of our most precious resources. It is the one thing that is equal to all human beings. Irrespective of our colour, religion, politics or how much money we have in the bank, we all have exactly the same amount at our disposal each day.



When looking for another job, how you chose to spend your time, and on what, are absolutely crucial to your success in securing the next role.



Lots of clients say to me “I just don’t know how I used to have a full time job and fit everything else in”. “The days and weeks just seem to be slipping by”.



So, what can you do to manage your time more effectively, to win the race? To get the best results? Here are a few of my thoughts and suggestions:-



• Identify when you are at your best, when is your “best” time of day? This is when your concentration levels are at their highest. For the larks, it will be early, first thing, for others it may well be in the evening. Do the things that require some brain focus at these times.



• Schedule it. Block out the time in a diary or even on the kitchen calendar when you will be working on your job search. It’s also worth sharing your schedule with your friends and family so you get fewer interruptions. Job searching is a full time job, and you will find you need to put as many hours in as a full time job.



• Take a break. Athletes can’t perform 100%, for 100% of the time, they need warm up time, peak performance time and also rest and relax time. As a job hunter you need a similar pattern. Make sure you are regularly recharging your batteries and taking a break, even it that is just a brisk walk round the block.



• Get some variety. Break up your day with different tasks. If you are used to working as part of a team, being at home can be lonely. See who you can meet up with to network, or how you can get out of the house. Or even have a chat with on the phone.



• Keep a reflective diary. Jot down what you have achieved. Okay the ultimate goal is to land a job, spend time at the end of each week to think about what you have accomplished and what you have learnt, and how you are feeling. This will help you feel as if you are moving in the right direction and towards that big goal.



• Have a to do list. Jot down what you are going to do each day, each week and each month. Tick tasks off as you go along.



• Analyse the tasks you are completing – look back at how you have spent your day, ask yourself what have I actually done? How have I spent my time? It’s easy to get sidetracked. One client recently did this, and whilst he thought he was spending at least 4 hours job searching, he had in fact spent two hours researching the form on the horses!



I hope you find these suggestions useful, if you are job searching and have some tips on how you are managing your time I’d love to hear them.