3 Ways to Own Your Search and Find Your Next Job

Q1 is a fantastic time to hash out your plans for the year and to think through what you want to accomplish and change.

For some folks, moving into a new position is at the top of the list. And while you can’t exactly knock on the door of your dream company asking for the corner office, the good news is that there is a lot you can do to own your job search and make change happen. Let’s make this the year of not passively waiting by the phone, shall we? 

3 Ways to Own Your Search and Find Your Next Job

1. Get clear on what you are looking for. Our recruiters have conversations with job seekers every day who are not sure what their ideal gig is. What size company do you want to work for? What is the job title you are after? What industry do you want to be in? What is your salary range? What are your deal breakers? What are your “musts”? These don’t have to be hard and fast rules, but you do need to have some specificity about the direction in which you want to look. Think about house hunting. You have your top deal breakers and you have your three musts. Make a similar list for your job hunt. What is most important to you?
   
2. Flesh out your strategy. The great news about being a job seeker is that this is a project you can have full control over. You can decide if you want to work with a recruiter. You can decide if you want to look for contract opportunities or permanent ones. Research what is happening in your field. Read up on what is going on in the job market. And then think strategically. How can you get from A to Z? Do you need to brush up on skills? Schedule some networking lunches? Attend conferences? Flesh out your strategy and control what you can control.
   
3. Make a plan with results you can measure. While you can’t determine who is going to offer you a job and when, there is a lot about your job search you can direct. Set goals for yourself. “I will refresh my LinkedIn page by January 30.” “I will reach out to two of my personal contacts each day via email to let them know I am looking for new opportunities.” “I will research interview skills on YouTube by Friday.” Instead of making your goal “Get offered a marketing director position at National Geographic” set goals that you can control with deadlines that you can meet. 

Job hunting is not for the faint of heart. Finding a new job can often feel like a job itself. But in order to move into a new position you have to keep the long game in mind. Own your search. Get clear on what you want and make a game plan for getting there. This can certainly be the year you move into a new position that you love.