Are You Efficient in Your Time Management and Working?

Summary: Many people find job search as tiring and exhaustive. This is true. For good results you should have time management strategy and a continued effort. You should always consider your job search as a full time employment. This is very essential in determining your continued success. This commitment should be there. At same time you should keep a track record of all your efforts.

Time Management-Working Efficiently



Job hunting is time-consuming and exhausting. You must use your time as effectively as possible. You were used to managing time on your job. But when you're unemployed, everything else is out of whack, and it's easy to quit managing your time, too. This section on time management isn't meant to be insulting-it's meant as a reminder to continue managing your time wisely.

One of the most efficient time-management tools is the list. Begin by writing down as many job-hunting activities as you can think of, basing them on the suggestions shown above in the market survey section. Then prioritize the activities, using an A, B, C. system (A for the most important activities, B for those which are important but can wait a while, C for those which might be useful, but which can be done later, provided doing the A and B items doesn't get you a job.) Then, for those rating an A priority, number them in order of importance and/or immediate need. Let's say your list looks like this:

• Read job-hunting books.
• Talk to other unemployed or recently unemployed executives or professionals to find out what worked for them.
• Write a preliminary resume.
• Make a list of your accomplishments on the job-what you did that made money or saved time or money for your employer.
• Write brief job descriptions for each position you held.
• List responsibilities for each position held.
• Review your strengths in technical, business and interpersonal skills and write them down.
• Evaluate your technical, business and interpersonal weaknesses. Decide if you have any areas where you should take corrective action. Write down both.
• Determine and write your job objective(s).
• Write a thumbnail description highlighting your business abilities.
• Prepare drafts of your final resume or resumes. You may need several different kinds and may go through several drafts of each before you come up with something you can use.
• Get personal stationery printed.
• Avail yourself of a personal computer/word processor. (If you don't have one, check at a nearby quick-copy shop. Many of them will allow you to use a word processor for a small fee or can arrange to have someone input your resume so that you can produce a professional-looking document.)
• Review your personal wardrobe for job-hunting suitability.
• Find a place to work outside your home-the office of a friend, the public library, a community facility-some place with permanence.
• Arrange to have your telephone answered-an answering service or machine, someone's office.
• Apply for unemployment compensation.
• Review your financial obligations and finances.
• Prepare a budget for six months or longer.
• Have your resume drafts reviewed by knowledgeable people in your field or by people whose opinions you value.
• Prepare answers to possible interview questions.
• Go through at least one and preferably more mock interviews with friends, acquaintances or other job-seekers.
• Discuss your situation fully and honestly with your family.
• Seek help from a counselor.
• Contact all of your references, preferably in person, or by telephone.
• Make contact with a self-help group.

Obviously, this list is incomplete. But you could use it as a starter, supplementing it with items of your own. You can see that all of these can't be done in one day, one week, or even one month. After all, you aren't superman or superwoman! But some of them must be completed before you should even think of going on an interview.

Then, at the start of every day, list the activities you should work on for that day, reprioritizing them according to the A, B, C system. Be sure to include personal-care activities like getting a haircut or going to the beauty shop, shining your shoes, taking clothing to the cleaners, etc.

As you complete each essential preliminary activity, check it off on your personal checklist. This will both keep you on target and give you a sense of accomplishment. Then, continue to make lists and check off activities as you enter the later phases of your job search.

Keep in mind another point about time management. The time-management experts say, "Do it now." In a job search, it's entirely too easy to procrastinate and spend hours "fiddling around" or otherwise wasting time. Instead, consider your job search to be your full-time employment-perhaps the most important job of your life, since it will determine your continued success. Let's face it. At this age, there's a terrible temptation just to give up and let everything go. Fight it!

Get up in the morning at your regular time. Eat a good breakfast. Get dressed in your business togs (and be sure you look good, even if you're just going to the library). Get going. Leave the house with your briefcase and your list for the day. Then, put in at least a six-hour work day toward completing your A priorities-those activities you identified as most important today toward your job search. By doing this, you are making an active commitment toward finding a job.

Keep accurate and complete records. These should include financial records such as mileage, interview expenses, support group costs, sup plies, printing, etc.; records of resumes and letters sent and which forms you used; lists of contacts; interviewers' names and the dates you interviewed. (Many states require that you turn in a list of all job contacts and interviews before they will pay you your unemployment-and they do check on your statements).