Organize your daily job search

Before signing a contract, you have to go through the "job search" phase. And to get there, you need to get organized! There's no question of getting swallowed up by the flood of job offers on the web or browsing aimlessly on job sites without a good strategy. If you've read our article "How to apply effectively?", you've identified the eight ways to optimize your job search. But in practical terms, how do you go about it? We give you a few tips to manage your daily job search and stay motivated over the long term!

Create a schedule

Take an active stance by establishing a daily routine. Spread your tasks throughout the day, devoting, for example, the morning to searching for job offers and speculative applications, and the afternoon to preparing your applications and job interviews. Everything needs to be planned!

Don't hesitate to use a planner (paper or digital, it doesn't matter, as long as you're comfortable with the tool) and even set up a timetable just like at school. This method is very effective for defining work blocks and staying productive. You avoid both procrastination and the risk of getting side-tracked on the internet...

If you are already employed, organize your search around your professional schedule.

Get up as if you were going to work

To find a job quickly and efficiently, keeping an ordinary daily rhythm is essential... even if sleeping in is calling your name!

And for several reasons:

keep up with the rhythm of the working world, so you are ready to go as soon as you find a position;
stay aligned with business operating hours: you are reactive if alerted about a new job offer, and can be quickly available for a meeting, phone call, or interview;
avoid gradually falling into procrastination, or worse, losing confidence or feeling down;
maintain your work-life balance.

Set up a workspace

Looking for work is a full-time job. To stay focused throughout the day, choose a quiet, well-equipped place where you have all the tools you need: a desk, computer with internet connection, planner, phone, files...

If you're worried about being too distracted at home, go out: library, coworking space, café... there is no shortage of environments suitable for work.

Stay focused

To carry out each of your tasks successfully without getting scattered, make sure you aren't disturbed. And turn off any source of distraction (radio, TV, mobile phone, messaging, social media).

Are you worried about missing an important call or job alert by isolating yourself? Schedule several check-in slots into your daily routine.

Tip: feeling scattered or lacking focus? Try the Pomodoro technique! Using a timer, break your work time into regular intervals: 25 minutes of 100% focus on a task, a 5-minute break, 25 minutes of 100% focus on a task, a 5-minute break, etc.

Break down your goals

Nothing feels more overwhelming than a big goal. You don't know where to start! So break it down into several small, quick, and easy tasks to accomplish. Satisfaction and motivation guaranteed!

For example, "Redo my resume" becomes:

list my skills;
list my experience;
find a resume template I like;
write my resume;
run the spell check;
fine-tune the layout;
proofread my resume;
have someone else proofread my resume.

Take breaks

Don't spend your days in front of your computer or knocking on every door. That's a sure path to discouragement! To stay motivated and effective in your job search, it's important to build relaxation time into your daily schedule: play sports, have lunch with a loved one, go to the movies, attend a conference... And who knows? By taking part in other activities alongside your job search, you might even find a job through your hobby!

Prepare for the next day

At the end of the day, review your job search progress and plan out the next day. Set 3 or 4 key goals for yourself. Tidy your desk, get the necessary equipment ready to hit the ground running. Review your schedule to get an overview of the day. And finally... disconnect! You've earned the right to relax.

Would you like support in organizing your job search? Contact your Actual advisor!

Looking for a job: organize your daily routine