Want to know how to cut down your job searching time?

Please tell me if this sounds familiar:

You collapse on the couch after a long day of work, open up your laptop and head straight to Indeed and LinkedIn.

You type in vague key words like “marketing jobs” and “senior manager” and hope to see some new postings, even though you just looked a few hours ago during your free time at work.

If you’re entirely honest, you don’t really know what you’re looking for…

You’re just waiting for the roles to jump at you.

And, if we’re really being honest, you’re tempted to apply to a few jobs you saw that you don’t really like but wouldn’t mind, because those are the best options you’re seeing right now…

If I just described your typical day of job searching, reading this blog may save you a lot of time.

Your job search is taking hours and hours of your time each week because you’re not 100% crystal clear on exactly what you’re looking for in your next role.

Of course, you may say you know what you want…

Maybe you know you want to change industries…

Or, you want to work at a company different from the one you’re at right now…

Or, you want to do less of what you’re currently doing now…

But if you’re not specific, you’re vague (hence the vague keywords you keep typing into Indeed. I know because numerous people have informed me this is what they were doing).

When you’re vague it makes it 20x harder to find a new role that's right for you!

The more specific you are, the easier it will be to spot the right opportunities for you and the less time you’ll spend constantly searching and applying to every position.

To get crystal clear on the right roles for you, you must get clear on your must-haves.

Let’s define that:

Must-haves: The qualities you desire in your ideal role and company that will positively increase your level of satisfaction and fulfillment in your career once you’ve started the role at the company.

Most people want working from home a percentage of the time as an option but your must-haves should go a little deeper.

When considering your must-haves, it's best to consider the following:

• What specific responsibilities would be most exciting to you?
• What specific industry do you want to transition to next?
• What specific type of company would you want to join?
• What type of company culture would you want to be a part of?
• What type of leadership would be most influential and impactful to you?

And this is not saying…

• “I want more leadership responsibilities.”
• “I don’t want to do what I’m doing right now.”
• “I want to work on more impactful projects.”

This is saying things such as…

??I want to work at a medium-sized well-known company with 200-500 employees.

??I want to work at a company that aligns with my values of diversity and inclusion, community, positivity, and transparency.

??I want to build relationships and partnerships with various brands and work cross-departmentally with creative teams.

??I want a senior product manager role that requires at least 5 years of experience.

When you get THAT clear on what you want next, searching for roles becomes easier.

You’re no longer waiting for roles to jump out at you, you’re making sure the job descriptions match your criteria and you’re laser-focused, only going after the roles you KNOW you want!

Thus, cutting down hours and hours of your time.

If you have been considering utilising the expertise and guidance of a career coach - you are more than welcome to book a complimentary 20 minute chat via www.cherylfinlaysoncoach.com or if easier – message me on LinkedIn. Like everything in life having someone to lean on makes things so much easier!

Cheryl

PS With the right mindset, determination and guidance you will be amazed at what you can achieve!

Credit: Adunola Adeshola