Creating a Job Search Strategy
If you plan to find a job sooner rather than later, and hope to succeed even in a struggling economy, you need a strategy for that success. A job search without a strategy can quickly become random and non-productive. Applying scattershot for jobs, following up on leads without prioritizing, lacking goals and ways to measure progress often plunges a job seeker into frustration. With a strategy, progress is planned and steady, and good results follow.

Here are the key elements of a job search strategy and how you can develop them:
1. Set a clear target
• Know what you want to do
• Know what you are qualified to do
• Know what there is demand for in the marketplace
• Take steps to make a career transition if there is not demand in your current area
• Form a target that is focused and realistic

2. Develop thoughtful marketing materials
• Update your resume and plan to customize it to each job opportunity
• Have a basic format for a cover letter ready to customize to each opportunity
• Optimize your profile on LinkedIn

3. Have a plan for marketing yourself using multiple channels to generate job leads
• Emphasize networking as the most effective way to discover leads
• Incorporate social media into your strategy
• Limit focus on advertised jobs

4. Make conscious decisions about how you spend your time on each job search activity
• Allocate time to continuing to learn about job search best practices
• Focus time on growing network

5. Find ways to keep skills sharp and resume filled with fresh achievements
• Volunteer, intern, learn or mentor
• Add new successes to resume

6. Have a system for managing your search
• Track to dos, leads, contacts, resume versions
• Keep track of which recruiter has submitted you to each company, and the date.

7. Implement a step by step plan for executing including measurable goals
• Make looking for a job your job, setting aside space and ample time for daily progress
• Have daily, weekly and monthly objectives
• Reward yourself for achieving goals

Creating a job search strategy takes time and thought. But working from a plan will bring you much greater results than a random, unfocused effort. Take the time right now to create a strategy for your job search and you can look forward to great results in the year ahead.

Carrie Krueger, Vice President, Jobfully
January 4, 2011