Creating A Job Search Strategy

Join Isaiah as he discusses the importance of having a job search strategy and what steps you can take to create yours

Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode…

• First, Isaiah explains why you need a job search strategy if you want to land a satisfying industry job
• Next, Isaiah talks about the importance of documenting your progress as part of your job search strategy
• Finally, Isaiah explains how networking fits into a well-executed job search strategy and why you can’t ignore this component

From This Week’s Show… 

Why PhDs Need A Job Search Strategy As Part Of Their Transition Plan

An industry job search, executed in the correct sequence, starts with understanding your career options and creating a job search strategy for those options.

In order to create an effective strategy, you must consider the sequence of your strategy. You cannot just haphazardly execute different job search-related activities at different times. Your approach must be organized.

The Importance Of Documenting Your Progress

You need to record your progress. At the very least you should   have   a   spreadsheet   with   5   columns:   Companies   of   Interest,   Job Postings or Informational Interview Notes, Company Contacts, Date You Last Followed Up, Next Follow Up Date.

To get hired, you have to design a campaign. You have to map out from A to Z what steps you are going to take, and you have to plan for contingencies. You cannot just fly by the seat of your pants.

You can’t wake up on Tuesday and submit a few resumes, do nothing to progress your transition Wednesday and Thursday, reach out to a few contacts on Friday (the worst day to reach out to people by the way), coast on the weekend, and then search for more online job postings on Monday.

Where   are  you documenting your progress? Where are you writing down your plans for each day of the month? Do you have a plan? Are you following a protocol? If not, it’s time to start doing so.

How Networking Fits Into Your Job Search Strategy

Once you have a strategy in place, you must grow and engage (or reengage) your network.

The major component of your networking efforts is following up consistently with an ever-growing list of contacts at the companies you want to work for, setting up informational interviews with these people, and gently guiding them to a position where you can ask them for a job referral.

If you want a job that pays well and allows you to do the best possible work you can do, you must get comfortable with the process of seeking job referrals. At the heart of any effective job search strategy is an intelligent networking strategy.

If you’re ready to start your transition into industry, you can apply to book a free Transition Call with our founder Isaiah Hankel, PhD or one of our Transition Specialists. Apply to book a Transition Call here.