November 20, 2016

12 Smart Time Management Tips For Job Seekers

Your most valuable asset is your time. When you’re unemployed, searching for a job is a full-time commitment and every minute that you waste sets your job search back.

Time management is an issue that everyone struggles with. We all have those days when we can’t seem to get anything done. It probably happens more than we’d like to admit. Staying motivated and being productive can be a challenge in a world of constant distractions, but it is imperative that we manage our time properly if we ever want to find a job.

Everyone can benefit from better time management. It requires self-discipline – especially during the job search. There is no one there to telling you what to do. In essence you have all the time in the world. But at the same time the more time you waste, the longer it will take to find a job and become gainfully employed. That’s not what you want.

Follow these time management tips for job seekers if you want to stop wasting time:

Create A To-Do List – Every day you need to create a list of specific objectives and goals that you need to complete. When you accomplish something on your list cross it off. Completing a to-do list is satisfying and helps you stay focused on what needs to get done.
Follow A Schedule – Treat your job search like a job. Show up to work and put in the time and effort. When you add structure to your day you will wake up and get things done.
Set SMART Goals – Use the SMART acronym to set goals for yourself. Goals should be Specific, Measurable, Agreed Upon, Realistic, and Time Based.
Dress For The Job – It’s easy to lounge around in your pajamas drinking coffee and playing video games when you’re unemployed, but you’ll never accomplish anything this way. Dress like you’re going to work. You’ll feel ready for the day and will respect yourself more.
Eliminate Distractions – Turn off your social media pings on your smartphone. Stop surfing the Internet. Put the dogs in the yard. Buy a set of earphones to block noise. Distractions are everywhere and they ruin your focus and productivity. Eliminate distractions and you will do more.
Reward Excellence – Reward yourself for accomplishing your goals. When you send in a completed job application, finish your resume, or answer all of your emails feel free to reward yourself with something meaningful. Rewards could be some gummy bears, a round of darts, or a quick walk outside. After your reward, get back to work.
Stay Organized – Keep your job search organized. Organization is essential for a successful job search.
Never Multi-Task – Multi-tasking is not an efficient way to get anything done. Focus on one thing at a time and you will ultimately accomplish more.
Take A Break And Disconnect – Don’t try to do everything in one sitting. Take a break. Go outside. Do something besides work. It allows your brain to relax, refresh, and refocus.
Track Your Progress – Make notes about what you accomplish each day. This way you will know when you did things, but also you’ll see how long it took to do them. Pay attention to your notes over time so that you can manage your time better in the future.
Focus On Important Tasks First – It’s easy to do the boring and mundane things on your to-do list, but focus on the important things first when you are fresh. Once you accomplish the big things, the rest is easy.
Just Do It – Procrastination is the biggest time killer. Don’t put off the things you need to do. There are no excuses for procrastination. Just sit down and complete your tasks. You’ll ultimately have more time for yourself and you’ll accomplish so much more.

In the job search, time management is the name of the game. It’s your responsibility to manage your time effectively and efficiently. When you waste time you are only negatively affecting your job search – and that’s something you cannot afford to do.

Time is valuable. Don’t waste it.