Organizing your job search
My sister-in-law recently finished a graduate program in documentary film making and has spent the past three weeks looking for her next project. I know very little about the movie industry and job hunting in it, but I know that my sister-in-law is extremely organized and so I wanted to learn more about her search.
I asked her how she has navigated the process, and she gave me a detailed response that I wanted to share with anyone who may also be looking for a new gig:
Dedication. Searching for a job is my full-time job. I have set hours for when I’m at my desk researching, corresponding, interviewing, and pursuing leads. This week I’m on target to work 40 hours at it. A job isn’t going to fall in my lap — I have to go after it.
I have to be organized with my search. I keep a spreadsheet of all of my job leads. It includes: date applied, company, position, contact name, contact information, status of lead, notes, and a correspondence log that links to my e-mail. I also have a group of bookmarks with job sites that I frequently search in my web browser and a folder with targeted lists in my address book of job-related contacts. I have set up alerts for follow-up actions I need to take in my calendar and automatic searches that run on sites like Craigslist based on keywords.
In addition to her searching, she also has spent a significant amount of time preparing her targeted cover letters, resume, and building her website and IMDB page showcasing her work. She attends as many networking and professional events that her schedule will allow and talks to any and everyone about her search.
Have you recently been searching for a job or work in hiring? If so, leave your tips for an organized job search in the comments section.
Posted by Erin on Sep 17, 2009 |
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21 comments posted
Posted by Another Deb - 09/17/2009
This is not a response to the current article, but I just wanted to compliment the Unclutterer staff. This site just keeps getting better and better! The articles in the last month have been fantastic!
Posted by becoming minimalist - 09/17/2009
i just recently concluded a hiring and would like to recommend “proper organization on your resume.” always lead with your strengths (whether that be experience, education, or skills).
Posted by Erin Doland - 09/17/2009
Great tip, @becoming minimalist! My friend used to work for a head hunting firm … I’ll see if she’s up for writing a post for us about resume organizing. A really wonderful idea!!!
Posted by Keira - 09/17/2009
Thank you for this post! I am going to begin searching for a job in Texas in two months and plan to use this strategy to assist me in my search.
Now if only I could figure out a good strategy to convince interviewers to give me a chance even though I am an out-of-state applicant…
Posted by Ruth Hansell - 09/17/2009
I recommend Trent Hamm’s post today on his blog, http://www.thesimpledollar.com. He’s reviewing a book called Never Eat Alone, and today’s post talks about getting in the door.
@Another Deb, I agree. Great work here!
Ruth
Posted by Kyle - 09/17/2009
How does the automated search work?
Posted by Erin Doland - 09/17/2009
@Kyle — Each site calls them something different. Look for “filters” or “notify me” or similar links inside your account manager on the specific site. You can even set up Google alerts to sweep sites for you.
Posted by Marie - 09/17/2009
I keep a page in my notebook for job leads I find on the fly. All kinds of information comes at you when you aren’t plopped in front of a screen, and it can be a lot to remember. For example, recently I was toting some produce in a waxed cardboard box and I noticed the company who makes the boxes was right in town. Since my background includes manufacturing skills, I marked it down for later research.
Posted by Tiffany - 09/17/2009
For those who need a little more structure than your basic Excel spreadsheet, there’s a system out there called JibberJobber that’s basically a contact relationship management system for your job search. It was developed by a guy who spent a year looking for a job using a series of spreadsheets and now this software is his fulltime job. (I have no relationship with the company; I just thought it was kind of a cool idea for people who aren’t as comfortable cobbling a tool together out of the software they already have.)
Posted by Lily - 09/17/2009
I’ve also been job searching & let me tell you, I must have applied for at least 50+ jobs already. When I first started job hunting, I decided to keep a work journal so when the time comes for the interview, I’ll remember what company, which position, and the qualifications needed that I applied for. But I love the idea of keeping it on a spreadsheet! I might just have to convert my journal to one~
Posted by Ris - 09/17/2009
In the networking vein, I recommend joining the alumni association of your college. This can lead to all kinds of connections and gain you access to networking events where you can meet other alum. Some even have a networking aspect built into their website (I know mine does). Also, the cost to join is usually very reasonable, especially for recent grads, and up to 80% of it is tax-deductible.
Posted by Dawn F - 09/17/2009
@Ris: Joining the Alumni Association from college is a major great idea!
I think it’s important to get up each weekday and get dressed like you’re going to work (okay not a suit and tie maybe, but in nice business casual clothes) and give yourself the “feeling” of going to work – your job search is your new job. I think getting in the right frame of mind could boost a person’s drive (and hence stay organized and focused), you know?
Bunny slippers and flannel pajamas are fun, but I’m wondering if dressing for success will keep a job hunter on track. Plus, if you get a phone call for a meeting it’s easy to run straight out of the house and on your way to a possible opportunity.
Posted by momofthree - 09/17/2009
Try being a stay at home for the past 19 years and trying to reenter the work force as a clerical employee somewhere. Not easy, that’s for sure. Do I list on a resume the last four employers I was at before the kids came. Two of the companies don’t exist anymore and management has changed at the other two, no one there would have a clue who I am.
I do have a page listing all the volunteer posts I have had/still have for a number of organizations. Don’t want any potential employer to think that I have been sitting on my fanny eating bon bons and watching daytime tv when the kids were little.
Back in my work a day life before kids, computers weren’t even on the horizon at any job. I TYPED, on a IBM Selectric III or a Sperry Remington machine depending on the employer.
Posted by Dawn F - 09/17/2009
@momofthree: What about applying for a clerical/administrative position with your children’s school district? Perhaps you have volunteered at your kid’s school(s) and are a familiar face to the staff there. It’s not WHAT you know, it’s WHO you know.
Just a thought…
Posted by Karen - 09/17/2009
Once I hear back from a company, I start keeping a Word file with all of my information about the job. It’s easy for information to be scattered between emails, spreadsheets, web pages, letters, etc. This way I have everything in one file. I include things like the names of the people I’ve talked to, notes that I’ve taken during phone calls or interviews, copies of emails, a list of items I’ve sent to them, information I’ve gotten off the web, etc. I prefer this to a spreadsheet because it’s more free form and I can include many different things.
These files have come in handy even if the job doesn’t work out. I interviewed for a job at a company a few years back, and it turned out to be the wrong job for me. But I met a lot of nice people, and I was still interested in the company. After I was laid off, I found a job listing for that company and I was able to look back at my notes, which were very helpful.
Posted by momofthree - 09/17/2009
Dawn F—I am currently a clerical sub in the school district, but that’s only 2-3 days a week at any one of the 12 schools in the dist. I just need something more full time.
Haven’t been able to secure anything full time yet, but there is hope, someday.
Posted by Lisa D - 09/17/2009
This is very helpful information. I also wanted to remind those job seekers out there that your chance of getting a job via just replying to posted jobs is miniscule – the majority of jobs are unposted. One method that I’ve found works really well is something referenced in the What color is your parachute book – essentially uber-informational interviewing. Here is a book that talks about this method: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obi.....tterer-20/ (I’ve been trained by this author, but currently don’t work in their field, FYI).
Essentially it means that through research and informational interviewing you end up looking for a very specific job doing something that uses all of your skills and passions, and who wouldn’t want to hire you for that? I spent 3 months unemployed, and I ended up working with a nonprofit to create a position for me based on my skills and interests (including grant writing to support it).
Posted by Pam S - 09/18/2009
I have found (www.Pongo.com) to be a very helpful site for resume writing, cover letters, thank you letters, etc. Great templates that prompt you with tips and advice as you build your resume or cover letter. Great support, and on line assist should you need it. Great articles and advice. For the momofthree great info and verbage for one who has all kinds of experience but has not been in the “real job market” for awhile. I am a procrastinator and not so organized, so for me this site has helped me to get focused and get things done and stay organized in my job search in the process. You can use the site for free but I have found the paid services to be well worth the asking price.
Posted by Tubby Mike - 09/18/2009
For the Mac users among you, Bento has at least three templates for a job search. These can be found on the Bento Template Exchange at http://solutions.filemaker.com...../index.jsp
Type in something like “Job Search” in the search box. I’m using one and the benefit is that you get to keep all the disparate documents, e-mails, whatever in one place. Additionally, web sites and e-mail addresses of contacts can be stored and activated from within Bento. If nothing else, it makes me “look” organised and therefore motivates me to get on with the job search.
Good luck in finding a job everyone.
Posted by Stephanie - 09/18/2009
Something really simple that I’ve made a habit is to standardize my file names as Name_Organization.doc. That way if someone calls I can quickly bring up that cover letter and resume and talk about it.
Posted by 100 Great Posts to Jumpstart Job Search - 10/09/2009
[...] Organizing your job search: Staying organized while you’re searching for a job can be a big help in keeping your wits about you and knowing where you stand. [...]
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