JOB SHOPPING!

No more job hunting!

Looking for a new job is a serious business and should be approached with rigor and consistency.  The more one is committed to the process, the quicker the results come. 

In fact, how about this as a suggestion, replace the word hunting to shopping – JOB SHOPPING.  By turning it on its head, you automatically remove all the negativity associated with the with “hunting”.  Thank you to JT O’Donnel for your advice on this, she recommends you list everything you want from your new employer?  If you are clear on this then you can focus in on the companies which would excite you to work for.  This positive energy would come through your application and approach to the opportunity.  

Here’s how your typical job shopping day could look:

7:00 – 8:00       Wake up / breakfast

8:00 – 9:00       Exercise /shower.

9:00 – 10:00     Set up in a quiet space that has good internet connection.

Refresh your shopping list – what are you looking for?  What would be a good fit for you?

Review your resume and LinkedIn Profile – make any necessary improvements and review keywords too.  Is your profile up to date with recommendations and other interesting information?

Does you profile have the Open to Finding a new job status?

Do you know the difference in what a company sees of your profile is you apply using the “Easy Apply”, the one click apply option and “Apply” option on LinkedIn?

10:00 – 11:00    1 hour - LinkedIn activity - It is recommended to like, comment, share, like comments of others especially in the same industry / sector as you.  Join discussion groups of interest.  This will increase your online visibility. 

11:00 – 12:00   1 hour – check through your emails and any daily alerts for new jobs which match your shopping criteria.  Follow up with your recruiter for any feedback on open roles. 

12:00 – 1:00     1 hour – update your knowledge of your industry, what is happening, events, mergers and latest news.  Make sure you are connected with all the right places to see the best jobs available – are you in the right shopping mall?

1:00 – 2:00       1 hour lunch break / walk / mediation

2:00 – 3:00       1 hours job search via LinkedIn Jobs, Indeed, local and industry specific job boards etc.  Network amongst your own contacts – people you know maybe able to connect you with some interesting opportunities.   

3:00 – 4:00       If possible break from the office to shop / network in person. 

Or, 1 hour of upskill via online platforms.  Are you comfortable with social media and using all the social platforms?  There are good learning tools on most of these.

4:00 – 5:00       1 hour interview prep, research, transferable skills identification.  It is also worth checking your public profile on all main stream social media platforms – how would certain posts be perceived if an employer checked these?  Should some be removed?

5:00                 End of job shopper “work” day. Most of us love shopping so the day should pass in a flash and you should feel energised from the process.  That leaves time for family, friends, pets and him/her.

Thank you also to Charmanique Hinds, who suggested such a routine helps build confidence in your job hunting. 

With no structure, job seeking can quickly drain your energy, be time consuming and quite overwhelming.    Throughout the day, when you apply to a particular job, keep a note of this in an excel spreadsheet and note the unique reference number of the job / agency and any other key information so you can keep a track of who has your personal data. 

You might find that you have to juggle homelife so a full day may not be practical – aim for half days or set days per week so you can concrete your routine. 

With a clear strategy, discipline and consistency, you can feel confident that you are doing everything possible to find the best job for you. 

Follow us on Antal International, LinkedIn and also register with our Antal.com job portal to keep tabs on all the latest jobs our offices are currently recruiting for – one might be the perfect fit for you.  Happy shopping! 

For more information on this topic: 

• You can also follow us on Antal International LinkedIn.  https://www.linkedin.com/company/antal-international   
• Please also register on Antal.com for regular updates on recruitment news and trends:  Our Blog | Antal 
• For technical jobs check out Antal Tech jobs, a job board dedicated to technology jobs:  13349 Antal TECH jobs - Your Number 1 Source For International Tech Jobs 

Written by: 

Ashleigh Fitzgerald, Operations Director, Antal International Network