9 Steps To Creating The Perfect Job Search Plan

Any great achievement starts with a solid plan. This dynamic holds true for your hunt for the perfect position. A well-structured job-search plan will give your career the boost it needs.

How can you put together the perfect outline for success? A top recruiter, like SmartTalent, can give you the guidance you need. Reach out to SmartTalent to receive the best industry insight and advice available.

Even with this input, you’ll benefit from a step-by-step approach to the planning process. With that in mind, here are nine tips for creating the perfect job-search plan:

Learn about the Market

Start with a deep dive into current market conditions. This will let you know your options and where your skills fit in the current landscape. From there, you can craft a targeted job-search plan based on the real-time activity in the economy.

Define Your Ideal Job

Based on your research, outline a picture of your ideal professional situation. Sketch the role that would best suit this point in your career. You might not get everything on your wish list. However, the act of listing your perfect job will help you get as close as possible.

Craft a Template Resume

Once you’ve determined your ideal position, you have the info you need to launch your job search. This starts with your resume and cover letter. Craft documents that accentuate your top traits and maximize your chances of landing your dream situation.

After creating a template, plan to customize your resume and cover letter for each individual position. Small tweaks or alterations in emphasis can impact your chances of getting the attention of specific HR execs. As such, target your documents for each opportunity.

Engage Your Network

Gather advice and feedback throughout the job-search process. Reach out to your network about specific opportunities. At the same time, use your contacts as a source of intelligence, giving you insight into the industry and the job market.

SmartTalent can help on this front as well. You’ll get guidance that will let you further hone your process. Connect with SmartTalent for both specific opportunities and general advice about your job-search plan.

Search for Available Positions

Time to hunt down specific opportunities. As you continue to talk to your network, begin looking for jobs in other ways as well. These can include:

• Mainstream Job Sites
• Niche Job Sites
• Social Media
• Specific Companies

Prioritize Opportunities

As you gather a list of possible jobs, triage your options so that you can concentrate on the most promising situations first. After all, you have limited time and energy. It’s best to invest that effort where it will most likely pay off.

Research Individual Companies

Part of the process of prioritization comes from a further dedication to research. Once you find an intriguing opportunity, drill down on that particular company. Learn about its history, its vision, and its culture. This will give you further data to shape your job-search plan.

Prepare for Interviews

Hopefully, your applications will pay off in the form of job interviews. This stage of the process requires added attention. As you have at other points in your job search, use research to customize your efforts and get the most out of each conversation with potential employers.

Keep Fine-Tuning Your Plan

Don’t become dogmatic in your jobs-search plan. Your assumptions headed into the process might change as you get incoming data. As such, remain flexible. Fine-tune your approach as you move forward.

While you push ahead, connect with SmartTalent to get the most out of your efforts. You’ll receive the perfect complement to your plan – a partner who can steer you towards the best opportunities available.

Contact SmartTalent today to upgrade your job search.