Before diving into resumes, online applications, and interview prep, it's helpful to get grounded in what the job search process is like at a high level.

Overview

 🏆 Goal

Set yourself up for success by choosing the right job search goal and strategy for you.

📗 When to read

When you realize it’s time to make your next career move.

🔑 #1 Tip

Aim for the intersection of what employers want and what you’re looking for. Being savvy about the market is key!

⌚ Time Required

Put in the time up front to set your strategy and map your goals. Plan to spend 3 hours going through this process (we’ll take you through it step-by-step in this guide!). 

This guide is about setting the right direction for your job search. If you’re already getting lots of interviews, you can skip ahead to our Interview Prep Guide.

✅ Done When

You have a very clear role archetype in mind, and you’re consistently landing interviews for it.

Understand

You might not like to job search. We get that! Putting yourself out there can be a little nerve-wracking.

In this guide, we’ll get you started on the right foot. We’ll go from figuring out what the heck you want to do to position yourself for the right opportunities. When you spend time upfront to get this right, you’ll increase the number of times you put yourself out there and get a yes. Plus, we’re going to spend some time dreaming, which will be fun :) 

Know before you start that job searching is:

• An employer-driven world. 

  Make your job search easy by being empathetic to what employers want. What value do you bring? Who wants to hire you? Who’d want to hire you tomorrow? When we look at where people end up, it often has more to do with employer needs than anything else. For the most direct path to finding your fit, start by understanding your audience.

• A bit of a rollercoaster. 

  Going after opportunities means putting yourself out there, and often, it means getting rejected. Everyone gets rejected, and everyone feels discouraged or disappointed by it at times. Being ready requires positive thinking and, sometimes, just taking a few deep breaths. Other times, the job search can feel like you’re on top of the world! Get your game face on, and let’s ride.

• A process. 

  It can take a while to find the right fit - sometimes 2x longer than you’d like. It’s hard work that requires a growth mindset, planning, flexibility, and grit. You’ll learn a lot along the way, though -- not only about companies but about yourself, too. 💪

Plan Your Time

By and large, the harder you work, and the more time you invest, the better your results. The job search is a bit like taking an online class, training for a 5K, or adopting a dog. You’ll have to push off other things to make time. 

How much time, you ask? Set aside 10 to 15 hours per week (1-2 hours per day). This might look like 5-7 pm, three times a week. Or, every morning from 8-9 am. It’s so, so much easier to follow through on time you set aside than trying to find time as life happens continuously. 

If that sounds crazy, you might realize you’re not ready to look in earnest. It’s OK if it turns out that now isn’t the right time. Or, you might decide you want to dip your toe in and see how it goes.

Engage Your Champions

Like most complicated things, a job search feels much better when you have people engaged in the process with you. They help you be accountable. They amplify joy when you win and keep you going when you hit bumps. They can also be accommodating in landing interviews.

As you’re getting started, identify a few mentors, former managers, colleagues, and friends who you’ll bring along in your process. They’ll help you decide your goals, provide feedback on your deliverables, and help with introductions and references when the time comes. 🙌