Your 'Job Search' Job
part 1 of 2

To find a job you first need to "Hire Yourself" because finding a job is a job in itself! You have to implement some common sense techniques to increase your odds of success.

This means you must commit to achieving measurable goals, putting in 40 hours a week, establishing routines and setting up a separate workspace to serve as your new office. Only then can you really start the process of getting your dream job.

Define a Job Description to the job of getting a job.
You have to be proactive setting hourly, daily and weekly goals. Write them in measurable terms and evaluate yourself at the end of every day, week and month. End each day with positive reflections and make notes on what worked today to establish your priorities for tomorrow.

Plan on 40 or more hours a week, every week.
Passive resume posting to several Web sites and applying for a few jobs... and then calling it a day – won’t get you anywhere very fast. You have to put in the time. Set a work schedule you can stick to and take 10-15 minute breaks every hour and a half to keep you focused. Use your lunch break to do any personal chores. Don’t do any errands or tasks around the house during work hours, period.

Set Your Routine.
It is imperative to set a routine that can get you in the mindset of going to work at your "Job Search" job. If you have to go to extremes, do it! Get up every morning, have breakfast, dress in your work clothes and rush out the door around the block, back to your house to your office. Then, get going!

Your Office.
Create an environment that is yours and yours alone. A workspace where you can actually work. Be creative if you have little to no extra space and use a bookshelf or TV tray! Put up a bulletin or white board and invest in a file cabinet to help keep you organized.

Your Office Phone.
Add another phone and place it in your workspace. Change the message on your voice mail to a more professional tone. Inform you family on the proper steps in taking messages and how to respond to inquiries over the phone.

Now you are ready to create your plan. How do you tap into your resources to maximize results? Stay tuned for part 2…