5 Time Management Tips for Job Hunting While Employed
Job hunting is a full-time job. So what do you do when you’ve already got a full-time job? You’re ready to move on, but it feels like you have very little time to look for your next opportunity.
If you are currently employed and job hunting, stay put until you accept an offer from your next employer. Not only does this provide financial security, hiring managers often find currently employed candidates highly desirable. Unless your current role is unbearable (and it might be!), we recommend that you continue working in your current position while you search for the next one.
So how can you manage the process of job hunting while working full-time? Start by implementing these five tips.
1. Time activate your day. Give yourself time limits and deadlines for your job search. Don’t spend unlimited hours scouring the web for job postings or tweaking your cover letters. Give yourself a specific amount of time that you will devote to your weekly goals and stick to your deadlines. It’s important to protect your margin and the only way to do that is to adhere to time limits.
2. Work with a staffing company. Imagine having just one point of contact for all of your potential opportunities. A staffing company can save you time and headaches by working on your behalf to recommend you to hiring managers who are looking for a candidate just like you. This is a service that’s a no-brainer to take advantage of as there is no cost to you.
3. Set SMART goals: specific, measurable, achievable, results-focused, and time-bound. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by a task as large as “find a new job” while you’re putting in a full work week already. But you can set specific, measurable, attainable goals each week. At the end of each week, create a list of three achievable moves you can make the next week. Then plug those into your calendar and to do list.
4. Turn on your recruiter settings on LinkedIn. Tip off recruiters that you’re open to having conversations without blasting it all over LinkedIn. Click on “Privacy,” then “Job Seeking,” then flip the button to “Yes.” There is now a flag on your profile that tells only those with LinkedIn Recruiter Accounts that you are open to new positions.
5. Make a “Ta Da” List. Whether your job search moves quickly or more slowly, celebrate the victories. One way to do this is by keeping a running list of what you have accomplished along the way. This is also a great way to make note of any conversations or touch points you have had with recruiters or hiring managers.
Job hunting while employed does not have to be an overwhelming process. With discipline, determination, and a recruiting team on your side, you’ll be moving on to a exciting new role in no time.
Interested in working with our talented marketing recruiters at McKinley Marketing Partners? The best place to start is a Talent Community profile. It only takes a few minutes to set one up and from there you can apply to any of our open positions and speak with our recruiters.
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