Numbers Talk In Job Search

Numbers Talk In Job Search There are many job seekers out who think their job search is measured only by number of interviews theyve had.   This couldnt be farther from the reality of things.   Job search is a sales cycle.   It will take a lot of activities to generate interviews and you need to be able to measure what is working FOR YOU and what is not. Additionally, securing your next job will take you longer than you want or expect.   Most of that is out of your control.   Employers are taking longer to make their hiring decisions.   Factor that in.   Know that and be prepared for the long haul.   While there are certain metrics that are more successful than others, job search is individual.   You may have success in one area and not another.   Lets look at some of the numbers you must be tracking. HOURS Recently the Department of Labor stats stated that the average job seeker spends only 18 minutes a day in search.   At that rate, no wonder people are unemployed for over a year.   The more hours you commit to your job search, the faster you will land a job.   This is a full time job. Make it easy to track your hours.   Keep a log with you job search folder.   Use categories of hours if you really want to understand where you are spending your time.   Here are some thoughts: Computer time Face time Phone time You time ACTIVITIES What are the activities that have the biggest bang for the buck?   Networking activities.   Yet there are other things you should be doing.   Start keeping track so you can increase or decrease activities based on their results.   Like Weight Watchers setting goals or targets weekly will hopefully drive you to meet these goals. Perhaps you will make one more call or attend that one meeting that will net you a great connection. On-line job postings Networking in person: one on one Networking in groups On-line brand management (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook or other on-line networking) Research (company, person, industry) Administration (resume tweak, marketing plan update, cover thank you, applications) Professional development (workshops, reading, professional associations) Volunteer Connect with recruiters/search firms INTERVIEWS There are phone screening interviews, first interviews and second interviews There should be a conversion rate here.   If you are getting first interview but not second interviews, that means you will need to work on your interviewing skills. Phone screen First Interview Second Interview Ive been told many times that tracking this stuff is a waste of time.   My belief is that is critically important to know this stuff.   How can you do an analysis?   How can you improve what you are doing or change what you are doing if you cant tell exactly what you are doing. From my experience working with job seekers, it is going to take hundreds of hours, networking contacts and 100% of your commitment to make your next job happen. There is a progress chart used by Orville Pierson which can be helpful in setting up your tracking system.   You can learn how to fix your search and access an Excel version of the progress chart here. Plan and Execute Your Job Search Using Gantt Charts from CareerRocketeer, also lays out a plan for tracking your search efforts!