Recently I was asked to make a presentation to a group of unemployed IT workers on the subject of how to go about finding a job. I thought about it and decided that the best way to go about it is to treat the job search as a project. No, not one of the 70% of projects that fail but rather one of the 30% or so that succeed. So how do you go about that.
Well, the first thing that you need to do is to become your own Project Manager. You are in charge. You make the decisions. Sometimes you need to discuss possible options with others that are or will be affected by your decisions but in the final outcome, you decide.
Once you have accepted that you are the Project Manager you must put successful Project Management Strategies at work on the project. These are strategies that most successful Project Managers practice in the delivery of their projects. These strategies include
- Defining the Kind of Job You Want
Technical , management or sector area. Full or part-time? Salary requirements? Start-up, small, big or massive company? Geographical area? Ok with Commuting? How far? Will I move? Other things to consider? Define in detail.
- Putting a Plan in Place To Get the Kind of Job You Want
What are the actions you need to take to get that job? What is the process you will put in place to complete the actions? How are you going to find the opportunities? What are you going to do to get the interview? How are you going to be different?
- Organising Yourself to Be Successful in Your Quest
Establish a work space dedicated to your job search. Organize yourself around your job hunting process established in your plan. This is a job. Treat it like one. Office hours, etc. Run errands after work hours. Resume up to date? Need help in writing one? Check out e-lance.com.
- Gaining and Maintaining Commitment to your Job Hunting Project
Make a list of all affected by this project. Wife? Husband? Partner? Children? Do they understand what you are intending to do and how you are intending to do it? Are they committed to helping you make it happen? Committed to your working day? Your office space? How can they help you be successful?
- Taking Massive Action
Action does not equal achievement! Action to your plan does. Massive is the key word. Sense of urgency! Discouraged? Don’t be. Every ‘no’ gets you closer to a ‘yes’. If plan is not working? Change the plan. Change the process. Get dressed for work. Don’t work in your pajamas. Be unique. Stand out! Follow every lead. Submit a proposal of what you can do for companies that you would like to work with. Sell them on what you can do for them. Be different.
- Monitoring and Controlling Your Planned Activities
Keep excellent records. For example, track the opportunity, action taken, contact details, date resume sent, follow-up date, follow-up contact made and when, outcome of contact, next steps, comments, etc. Measure how well you are doing. If need be change your plan and tracking information.
- Staying Focused on Your Goal and Your Plan
Ensuring that you and all those affected by your goal stay focused on being successful in your job quest. Trouble staying focused? Set your alarm. Work 2 hours and then take 15 or 20 minute break. Persevere! “Keep on keeping on”. Repeat your goal twice a day. Visualise getting up, dressing, driving to work, being successful at work and driving home. Visualise getting your paycheck.
- Enjoying Life
Remember, “This too will pass.” Sometimes you just have to get away from it all – put aside looking for the right opportunity, making sure that your resume is up to date, visiting the job sites, the worry of no work, etc. Just get away, even for a little while. Take in a movie or go on a picnic with the family, visit friends or go somewhere where ‘everybody knows your name’. Chill out. Remember to stay positive but also to take action. People are drawn to positive people.
Follow the Project Management strategies and just know that you will find a job soon
Richard Morreale is a consultant, professional speaker, trainer, coach and author in Strategic Planning and Implementation, Business and Culture Change and Project and Program Management. For more information, contact Richard at 336 322 1320 or Richard@richardmorreale.com. To view his Project Management Products go to www.richardmorreale.com/shop/. To download Richard’s free 33 page e- book, 10.5 Top Reasons Projects are Unsuccessful go to www.richardmorreale.com.
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