When you’re looking for remote work, you’re probably applying for numerous positions at the same time. With several CV versions and ideally multiple interviews, it’s easy to become unorganised.
Here are a few pointers to help you successfully plan your job hunt.
1. Don’t use your desire to be organized as an excuse to put off your job hunt
This is an important point. It’s simple to convince yourself every day that you’ll start looking for work as soon as you finish planning your job search. Set a time limit — a few days, maybe a week at most — to get your ducks in a row and then get started on actually applying to jobs.
2. Get rid of clutter
It’s really tough to think clearly if your workplace is cluttered with books, papers, and invoices. Spend a few hours tossing away all the stuff you don’t need and organising the things you do. Productivity and clutter are intertwined.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the average U.S. CEO loses six weeks each year searching for misplaced information on their untidy desk and files. For a $75,000-a-year executive, it equates to a loss of $9,221, or 12.3 percent of their total earnings. That’s quite a hefty price to pay for ignoring clutter.
3. Create a method for organising your job search
You’ll need a system for keeping track of the companies and jobs you’ve applied to, as well as the status of each application. When it comes to follow-up, tracking your application is crucial. If you’ve interviewed with a company but haven’t heard back, you’ll need to keep hold of that information so you can make a follow-up phone call or send an email.
Consider creating a comprehensive spreadsheet that tracks all relevant details of your job search, such as the job title, company, contact information, date you applied, details of any scheduled interviews, whether you followed up, and the status of your application.
If you’re the type of person who forgets to update the spreadsheet, look into free online project management solutions such as Trello.
You can automate your job hunt using tools like Trello. You can, for example, be reminded when to send a follow-up letter to the hiring manager or recruiter. You may also keep track of your meetings using free apps such as Microsoft OneNote or Evernote. A sticky note may be the right solution if you’re a visual person.
4. Create a timetable
Set aside time every day to concentrate on your job hunt. The quantity of time you set aside is typically determined by whether you are already employed, as well as other time constraints. If you’re currently employed, it may be as little as two or three hours each week. Whether it’s two hours every Sunday or three hours every weekday, no matter how much time you have to devote to your job hunt, make a commitment to stick to a strategy.
5. Revise and improve your CV
When you start looking for employment, you’ll need to have your finest résumé possible ready to go. Depending on your industry, you may need more than one résumé on hand to apply for a range of job titles. There is a wealth of information available online on how to write a CV. Make sure your resume is tailored to each position.
6. Make a list of potential employers
Where would you like to work? Begin by investigating the reputation and culture of at least a dozen businesses you believe are excellent places to work. Of course, you should continue to network, reply to Internet job listings, and interact with recruiters, but it’s helpful to have a list of specific businesses to target.
After you’ve compiled your list, perform research on each organisation and consider conducting informational interviews. Use the information you’ve gathered to personalise your CV, cover letters, and interview replies to each business.
7. Begin or expand your network
Lots of people manage to get a job simply by networking, so try to get out there and meet new people. Ask for guidance and find out who else you should be talking to. Who in your target organisations may you be able to network with? Or do you know someone who can put you in touch with someone?
8. Organize your job hunt using LinkedIn
When you look for jobs on LinkedIn, you may bookmark positions that interest you. If you can’t apply right away, you’ll end up with a rolling list of interesting jobs to choose from when it’s time to concentrate on your job hunt.
Spruce up your LinkedIn profile by promoting yourself using material from your CV to communicate what you are looking for clearly. Bring your profile up to 100 percent, or at the very least 90 percent.
Obtain references from as many of your contacts as possible, with a focus on clients, supervisors, subordinates, and corporate colleagues. These will indicate to prospective employers what kind of employee you are.
If you don’t have an email address for someone who works for one of your target firms, you can contact them using LinkedIn Groups. If you’re in the same LinkedIn group as them, you may send them a free message using the site.
9. Apply for the appropriate positions
Many job searchers assume that the more positions they apply for, the more likely they are to obtain an interview. As a result, they apply for each remote job they come across. However, applying for jobs you are ineligible for is a waste of time, not to mention an easy way to get unorganised.
Sending out fewer resumes that are properly tailored to specific positions is always a good idea.
10. Monitor your job search efforts every week
It’s easy to become overwhelmed when searching for a remote job. This is why you need a strategy to perform certain activities and arrange your job search week by week. Set aside one or two hours each week to browse job boards—most job boards will send you updates through email.
There are many things to keep track of when job hunting, but by following these easy suggestions, you’ll be able to track and organise your remote job search efficiently.
Search Remotely is an online platform for remote job hunters looking to escape 9-5 and for remote companies to hire international remote talent.
