Diagnosing your job search. part 2

     Unsuccessful job searches not only take longer, but they cost more money on things like: gas/transportation (going back and forth to interviews), dry cleaning, computer ink (printing out resumes and cover letters). It also takes its toll on your overall well-being. Job searching can be stressful, discouraging, and sometimes downright depressing. 

     If time is money, then it is worth your time and money to spend some time in your job search to assess how it is going. In my last post, I gave a long list of questions to ask yourself about your job search. This is going to be the first of many posts that explore that list in greater detail. 

Are you spending enough time each day, and each week on your job search?

• When you are not working, your job is to find a job. This may sound cliche, but it is true. The more time you spend you on your search, the better the results will be. 
• If your diagnosis, or illness is one that results in not being able to work full time, then you should be spending as much time as you would be working on your job search. Additionally, know yourself. If your diagnosis or illness involves pain or fatigue; don't search for work when your pain or fatigue are at their worst.
• Not sure, where you can find extra time to job search. I suggest the following: Keep a daily log each day, break down your day into 10 minute intervals, and write down what you did during those 10 minute intervals. Do this for 1 week. Then review your results. The results of how you spend your time may surprise you.

Are you engaged in a sufficient variety of activities to find employment?

• Is your job search limited to either just looking at online job boards, or looking in newspapers? If so, maybe you need to do other things to find work. 
• If you only look in the paper, try looking online. If you only look at specific job boards, try looking at others (there are thousands of job boards). Try using the internet for other research purposes.
• try going out and visiting employers in person.

Are you documenting your job search efforts? Is your documentation well organized?

• Hopefully you keep records of your job search. I would make some recommendations.
• You should keep a daily log of your job contacts. You should document: the name of the employer contacted, how you contacted them (phone, email, fax, etc), who if anyone specifically you contacted, what position you contacted them about, results of contact, and your plan to follow-up (including date of follow-up). 

Are you getting out enough and meeting actual people?

• The internet does not hire people. People hire people. That may sound like common sense, but the point is, if you whole job search is job boards and applying online, you might never get the interview needed to get hired. You are going to have to get out of the house more. Visit a staffing agency. Attend a job fair. Attend some other networking/social activity. 

Darren Flomberg is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, and Certified Case Manager. He is a vocational rehabilitation counselor who has been serving the Long Island and NY-NJ Metro area for the past 11 years. Additionally, he is a vocational expert witness who has participated in Social Security Disability hearings since 2009.