Life Lessons for a Tech-Savvy Job Search
When it comes to time, none of us have a moment to waste. So it is a must that we are as efficient as possible in all the things we set our minds to, particularly when it comes to our job search. Too often, women become frustrated as they seek out their dream job because they feel like it takes too much time to identify and apply for jobs in their career area of influence. Add tech-savvy efficiencies to your job search with these three strategies for busy, new and mid-level professionals.
STRIVE FOR 5
Ever hop on the internet to job search and then get distracted by a Facebook notification? 45 minutes later, you’re laughing out loud at memes from the Dolly Parton challenge, never having actually looked for any jobs. I tell my mentees to Strive for 5 which means, in general, they need to apply approximately 5 hours to job search activities each week. This time includes filling out applications for job opportunities, updating your job search materials, or networking on LinkedIn. Because most of your job search happens on the internet, we have to be sure that you’re maximizing the entire 5 hours. Monitor your time on the web by using a screen monitor like ZenScreen, Moment, or Social Fever. These apps monitor the time you spend online as well as what websites you visit. You can set rules for which websites to avoid (Hello Facebook & Pinterest) during your Strive for 5 hours and even auto-set breaks for yourself when needed. The internet is a huge advantage when you’re job searching, but if you’re easily distracted, use online screen monitoring to help you stay laser-focused.
JOB ALERTS/AGENTS
Most job search websites such as Indeed, USA Jobs, and LinkedIn will let you set up job alerts and profiles that identify and target career opportunities based on your skillset. You may have to take some type of assessment to let the job agent know what searches will be of interest to you. From there it can send you emails either daily, weekly, or whenever there is a new opportunity related to your interests. Sure you might have to be more proactive in seeking out jobs occasionally but in general, you can rely on these agents to send opportunities right to you, saving you time, and using technology and artificial intelligence to your advantage.
RESUME, COVER LETTER, AND QUESTION TEMPLATES
Every time you apply for a new job, you have to submit unique materials. In a tight job market, hiring managers can tell when you’re sending out the same, outdated, generic “change the name of the position and nothing else” cover letter and resume. However, to save time, you can use a template that has the same or similar framework but really speaks to your unique skills, interests, and talents. I offer these to my mentees and they love them because they are able to use this framework across multiple industries to stand out as top candidates with high impact materials.
SCHEDULE YOUR 1:1 MENTOR ME SESSION WITH ME FOR ACCESS TO:
1:1 mentorship
Strive for 5 job search methodology
Resume, cover letter, and interview question templates