Early in 2020 before COVID-19 hit, it took the average person roughly nine weeks to find a job. My goal is to help minimize your job search, so I have put together a job search strategy worksheet for you.
Now, entering 2021, some industries, such as healthcare and technology, are experiencing strong demand while others, such as hospitality, travel, and entertainment continue to struggle. Depending on the field you are in, you might be lucky to find a job within a few weeks of looking for one. Or, if you are like a lot of people, it could take months to find the right job fit for you.
Finding a job can be a full-time job in itself.
If you are tired of spending time chasing mediocre job listings and going to interview after interview with no luck, there is a solution for you.
A job search strategy job worksheet can help streamline your job search process and get you faster, more positive results in your job search. It can also help to identify why your resume is not getting any calls from recruiters and employers.
Keep reading for more information about how this tool can help you find your perfect job.
What is a Job Search Strategy Worksheet?
A job search strategy worksheet is a tool to help you find the job you actually want and one that will be a much better fit for your needs and skillset. It helps bring clarity and focus to your job search.
It helps you identify the jobs that are well suited for you, allowing you to focus on jobs that are a good fit versus spending time and effort pursuing jobs that are not a good fit.
You can either print out the job search strategy worksheet or fill it out on your computer. Either way, take the time to review and complete one to remove the guesswork, stress, and frustration from your job search.
The Power of Writing It Down
Writing down your career goals is one of the most beneficial things you can do for yourself as you start your job search. Goal setting is considered by many to be an important first step to career success.
Use the job search strategy worksheet provided here, to write down your career goals and conduct a career self-assessment. It will help to clarify your strengths, weaknesses, goals, areas for improvement, career interests, and values—all important ingredients you need to consider when choosing a specific job or career target.
It also touches on the power of visualization. When you complete your job search strategy worksheet, it will help you create a picture of your perfect job. Once you have, envision yourself in that picture.
Tips for Completing a Job Search Strategy Worksheet
Are you ready to get to work and develop your job search strategy? Start with these easy steps as outlined on the job strategy worksheet and build a winning strategy for your job or career target.
Objective
The first step in a job search strategy worksheet is to write down the main objectives that you want to realize in finding a new job. Now, writing down something generic like, “I need a job, any job,” won’t work. You need to be more specific.
For example. Is it to meet a certain salary requirement? Is it to work for a company that aligns with your values and passions? Or is your main career objective to work for a company where there is plenty of room for internal upward movement?
Whatever your main objectives are, write them down. This will help focus your energy on the companies that will help you satisfy the goals you have set.
This is a good time to also list the things you DO NOT WANT in your next job or career. Identifying your objectives will save you time and energy since you will stop applying to positions that do not align with your career goals.
Location Preferences
The next step is to identify where you want to work. This is critical. Are you willing to relocate? If so, where? Across the country, within the state or across town? Are you willing to endure a commute, or do you plan to rely on public transportation? Perhaps you are interested in remote work only and want to live by the beach?
Whatever you decide, once you define your location preferences for your job search, you can focus on jobs that meet your specific requirements.
Eliminate any job that does not meet your location preferences from consideration and dedicate more time to jobs that fit your needs. You may decide to weigh some factors more heavily than others.
Professional Skillset
Write down all of the competencies that you have to offer potential employers. Think skills, experience, and knowledge. List the things that you bring to the table that would make you a strong candidate for your ideal job or career.
Are you excellent at corporate communications? Do you have a history of completing projects on time and meeting deadlines? Are you able to multitask on a variety of projects?
List out all your relevant job experience, education, training and certifications. Use this section to see where you thrive professionally.
This section can also help you identify parts of previous jobs that you do not enjoy. Highlight areas that you want to avoid in your future job. This can include things like meeting with customers or making presentations.
Personal Skills and Strengths
List your personal talents and superpowers (soft skills) that make you unique and a valuable candidate to hire. In 2021, highly desirable soft skills include adaptability, work ethic, creativity, active listening, teamwork, and others.
Are you creative? Do you work well in teams? Are you a problem solver? Do you get along with people easily?
This is very important to figure out. Keep in mind, employers want to hire candidates who are well qualified for a position. But they also want to hire someone they get along with who integrates well with the team and organization.
Personality matters just as much as job experience for some positions.
Career Interests
Next, list what kind of position you are seeking.
Do you want a full-time position or are you looking for something more temporary or part-time? Are you someone who likes to be in the same position for a long period or do you prefer to be promoted and move up the ladder at a rapid pace?
Identifying the type of career you want – not just the type of work you will be doing – will help you narrow your job search down to something that aligns with your career goals.
Ideal Company
This is the part of your job search strategy worksheet where you list the ideal qualities of the company you would like to work for.
Ask yourself these questions.
What type of company would you love to work for? How important is a company’s culture to you? Do you like when a company has a strict hierarchy, or do you prefer a company with more open channels of communication?
Another factor that may be important to you is the type of work that your ideal company does. For example, if you are passionate about the environment and clean energy, it would probably be difficult to work for an oil and gas company.
Some job seekers put a high priority on working for a company that aligns with their values. You want to work for a company that you feel good about. Write down the criteria that are important for you.
Qualifications Needed
What are the qualifications that your job target requires? Do some research so that you have a good understanding of the skills, experience and qualifications needed for your dream job.
Does your job target require someone bilingual? Maybe your job target requires digital and graphic design experience?
Knowing and understanding the qualifications of your dream job can help you make more informed decisions about the skill sets you need to win interviews and get hired. List the common skills, experience and qualifications required for your job or career choice. Generally, at a minimum, your qualifications should be a 70%-80% match for the positions you pursue.
Preferred Job Title or Function
This is where you consider all of your input and start to develop a job or career target. Need help? Use the online Skills Matcher to help you identify career options that might be a good fit for your skills.
Consider your professional skillset, the qualifications needed for your ideal job target, and companies that align with your values to create an actual list of potential jobs. Focus your efforts on the jobs on this list.
Preferred Salary
What is your preferred salary? Are you willing to negotiate? Are you willing to take a pay cut to start at a new company?
Again, do some research upfront so that you have a general idea of the salary or pay rates as they apply to your search. Two resources that may be helpful to you are O*NET and PayScale.
Be prepared and know what you are willing to accept when it comes to salary. Being prepared and informed will help you position yourself for success when it comes time to negotiate.
Contact Us Today to Jump Start Your Job Search
The job search can be challenging, but it can also be extremely rewarding once you find that perfect job.
Completing a job search strategy worksheet can help you discover what the perfect job looks like for you.
If you are ready to get your career search off the ground and find the job that fits you best, reach out to us here at EZ Resume Services.
Sign up for a complimentary session to go over your career goals and let us help you find the pathway to your perfect career.