Job Search: Time Management
There is an old adage that "Looking for a job is harder than working." How true! The rigors of job search are magnified by the turmoil we experience: lack of self-confidence, humiliation, financial pressure, and the undercurrent of emotions that color all we do: fear, anger, depression, anxiety, loss.
One practical step we can take to lower the stress and conserve our energy for finding work, not feeding our bloated worries, is to manage our time effectively. Have you ever noticed that you get more chores done when you're busy? If time is limited, we squeeze in those extra demands because we know they have to get done by a deadline and we fear putting them off. When time is unlimited, such as when you take a few days off work, there is no pressure to rush-"I've got four days, I'll do it tomorrow." Suddenly, you are back at work and realize that you didn't accomplish half of what you had planned.
This lack of structure is magnified when you are unemployed. There is no pressure to get up, get dressed, get out of the house by a specific time. We know we have things to do. We need to update our resume, create some new cover letters, research some possible job openings. It is so hard to get started because we hate having to do it, we don't feel creative or excited about the whole prospect, and we dread having to go through the horrors of interviewing. We procrastinate, telling ourselves that when we are ready, it will just "flow." For a few hours, a few days, we'll just indulge ourselves and relax. When the end of the month arrives and we compare our diminishing bank balance to our multiplying bills, we mentally beat ourselves up for not having accomplished what we had so earnestly intended. Now we generate our own pressure, magnified by guilt and self-reproach. Stress levels and blood pressure rise. We feel resentful, angry, depressed. "I didn't ask to get into this situation. It's unfair. I hate it, I hate it, I hate it."
Adopting a reasonable schedule can avoid reaching this point. Try these ideas:
1. Take a day to do nothing but plan out what you are going to do, and when.
2. Concentrate on not over-committing yourself. You may be used to working 8 or more hours per day and think that is what you will now spend on job search. Remember that adage: your hunt for work is a lot more difficult than simply walking into a familiar employer and pursuing your daily routine. Recognize that and limit your job hunting to fewer hours per day.
3. If you rigorously limit your job hunt-related activities to 4 hours per day to start (you can always increase later), you may find yourself forced to stop before you are ready. This creates the impetus to get you going the following day -- you can hardly wait to get back to what you are working on.
4. When your "work time" is over, stop. Consciously focus your attention on relaxing: take a walk, read a book, throw a ball, watch television, whatever pleases you. You will be able to relax because you know you completed exactly what you planned. The guilt, and the sense of "I should have, I should be" no longer exist and you are free, for a short time anyway, to do anything you want.
5. Identify your priorities by looking at what day of the week is best for each kind of activity. If you are searching the classifieds, Sunday is the premium time to do it. If you are networking or cold calling, concentrate on the morning weekday hours. Agency visits, whether for temporary work or head hunting, can be relegated to the afternoons when employers are difficult to reach and already fatigued.
6. Analyze your own daily energy patterns and put them to work for you. Make sure that during your high energy periods you are "out there," contacting people and presenting yourself. Use your low energy times for solitary, mundane tasks: researching companies and jobs, organizing your paperwork, planning your next day's activities.
The inevitable stress of unemployment and job search can never be totally eliminated, but managing your time and being gentle with yourself can turn a painful situation into simply an uncomfortable nuisance.
Virginia Bola operated a rehabilitation company for 20 years, developing innovative job search techniques for disabled workers, while serving as a respected Vocational Expert in Administrative, Civil and Workers' Compensation Courts. Author of an interactive and emotionally supportive workbook, The Wolf at the Door: An Unemployment Survival Manual, and a monthly ezine, The Worker's Edge, she can be reached at http://www.virginiabola.com
 Google News Updated : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 17:51:10 GMT Spotlight on Apple notebooks: 1989 to 2008 - CNNMoney.com
CNNMoney.com - On Tuesday, Oct. 14, Apple will unveil the latest addition to a long line of portable computers that dates back nearly 20 years - to the ungainly, 15.8-pound “Macintosh Portable” that PC World named the 17th worst technology product of all time. This week in Apple: New notebooks, new writers, and more Woz Don't Buy A Mac Laptop* Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 15:23:15 GMT Texas new No. 1 in coaches poll after wild college football weekend - USA Today
USA Today - By Eddie Timanus, USA TODAY The date won't quite live in infamy, but college football followers should remember Oct. 11, 2008, for a long time. Kansas fails to move up in polls Texas grabs top ranking in AP Poll Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 17:18:35 GMT US-POLITICS Summary - Washington Post
Washington Post - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrat Barack Obama has opened a 6-point lead over Republican rival John McCain in the US presidential race, according to a Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby poll released on Sunday. John McCain and Sarah Palin try new tactics Pittsburgh Paper Picks Obama, Pans on McCain/Palin Ticket Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 15:22:18 GMT "Chihuahua" bites Crowe, DiCaprio at box office - Reuters Reuters - LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The new terrorism thriller "Body of Lies" failed to take the top spot at the weekend box office in North America on Sunday, becoming the latest victim of moviegoer aversion to movies dealing with Middle East intrigue. 'Chihuahua' still has bite in second weekend at box office ‘Body’ Talk, Baby Talk Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 16:19:10 GMT Lisa Marie Presley delivers twins: report - Reuters
Reuters - LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Lisa Marie Presley, Elvis Presley's only child, gave birth to twin baby girls on October 7, celebrity news TV show "Entertainment Tonight" said on its website on Saturday. Twin girls for Lisa Marie Presley Lisa Marie Presley Welcomes Twin Girls Publ.Date : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 17:17:01 GMT Stem cell promises, obstacles remain four years after bill's approval - San Jose Mercury News San Jose Mercury News - EDITOR'S NOTE: This is first of a two-part series examining the progress and potential pitfalls in California's $3 billion stem cell research program. Researchers find easier way to make stem cells New method generates stem cells safely from mice Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 16:34:39 GMT Obama Gains in States Such as Iowa, Florida Give National Boost - Bloomberg
Bloomberg - By James Rowley and Kristin Jensen Oct. 12 (Bloomberg) -- Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is moving ahead in a series of new polls from Florida to Iowa, gains that are helping him maintain a national lead over Republican John McCain. Video: Kids Vote On Campaign '08 Newsday poll: Obama has double-digit lead on Long Island Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 15:51:54 GMT Increase Online Traffic |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... The Question: After identifying a potential employer, I get contact... Read More The Bachelor is one of the many reality shows that... Read More Today everyone knows at least one person who has lost... Read More I coined this word to draw attention to the nervous... Read More Are you thinking about switching careers? If you are, you're... Read More There is no easy way to define exactly what editors,... Read More So you noticed the new job board posting on your... Read More Most job seekers know that an unprofessional appearance will count... Read More Using a general rsum.DON'T DO IT! You cannot successfully use... Read More All Presidential candidates (before and after) make all kinds of... Read More Chances are if you're reading this you've thought about becoming... Read More It's startling to discover how having kids changes the way... Read More Every great resume deserves a great cover letter.A cover letter... Read More It's no secret that there is a lot of competition... Read More Ask yourself this question: "Do I like what I do... Read More Follow these quick and easy tips to build yourself a... Read More A recent poll conducted by Yahoo! Small Business showed that... Read More While at times it may prove comfortable and convenient to... Read More More than four out of ten thirtysomething professionals want to... Read More Several times a year, I hear someone complain about the... Read More Are you in the job market? Sick of every blog-byte... Read More Question: How do I market myself online?Answer: With a stellar... Read More Finally! Your youngest is in school and you are ready... Read More May I explain what about what a red ball means... Read More In my last column, I explored Jim Collins' "hedgehog" principle,... Read More
Adsense
websites
Looking for Work in All the Wrong Places
Why Bachelors Make Bad Decisions: Five Tips to Move from Reality Television to Your Career Change
10 Ways to Speed-Up Your Job Search Effort
Job Search Blurts
Switching Careers - 7 Key Steps
You Never Get A Second Chance To Make A First Impression
Nine Ways to Tell Youre Ready for a Promotion
Six Factors That Can Cost You the Interview/Job
Common Rsum Mistakes
Prepare for YOUR Future now --
Becoming A Home Inspector: What the Home Inspection Schools Dont Want You To Know
Updating Your Plum Job Now That Youre a Parent
Pair Your Powerful Resume with a Great Cover Letter
Acing The Interview
Career Education Options For Working Adults
5 Ways to Drastically Improve Your Resume in 10 Minutes of Less
Are You Suited for Self-employment?
3 Reasons To Hire From Outside Your Industry
Do Dream Jobs Really Exist?
Where Did All The Farmers Go?
How to Make More Job Contacts Faster, through Viral Marketing
Telecommuting Cover Letters
Professional Moms: How to Get Ready to Re-Enter the Workforce
Everyone Should Have a RED BALL in the Job Search
How Hedgehogs Hire
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Mystery Shopping for Fun and Profit
How would you like to get paid to go shopping?... Read More
Aptitude Tests Reveal the Difference Between Your Aptitude & Ability
Aptitude tests measure your skills, abilities, values, interests and personality... Read More
An Alternative to Hiring Employees
Current trends in business are conspiring to create a revolution... Read More
Searching for an Executive Job
A job search for executives is far less complicated today... Read More
Dont Quit Your Day Job! Convincing Your Boss To Let You Telecommute, Part 1 of 2
Are you desperately trying to find a telecommute job so... Read More
Seven Myths You Must Challenge Now To Begin Your Second Career Today
* Has it been awhile since you explored career options?*... Read More
Telecommuting Website (Part Two)
Last article I discussed why a telecommuter would benefit from... Read More
Interview Tips - Ten Top Dos & Donts for Winning Interviews
In this day and age it can become increasingly difficult... Read More
Interview Presentation Skills: Dealing With Your Nerves
Sooner or later, the interview invitation is going to say... Read More
Any Job is an Honorable Job
Seeing your job as an honorable job, adds more meaning... Read More
Start Working Before You Get Hired
What if there were a way to *prove* to any... Read More
You Are Lucky in Your Career!
You Are Lucky in Being Satisfied in Your CareerJust for... Read More
Dont Be Defeated - Be Empowered
Taking a job out of fear and desperation will never... Read More
A Day in the Life of a Freelance Copywriter
Ever wanted a job where you could spend all day,... Read More
Rethink Your Career Transition
Are you going nowhere in your career? If you've decided... Read More
Loving What You Do
Man is a social animal and survival is his major... Read More
The 5 Ps Of A Job Search
Step One - Plan:Most people spend more time planning a... Read More
Students Discover Your Niche By Using Career Assessment
In our ever changing world where job competition is rampant... Read More
Why Choose A Professionally Written Resume?
Good question, considering that nowadays you can find many useful... Read More
It is Still Possible to be Upwardly Mobile in America!
Yes, it's still possible to be upwardly mobile in America:... Read More
What Do Accountants And Doctors Have In Common?
Freshly qualified accounting graduates when asked by the interviewer "Are... Read More
Workplace Violence - 8 Tips For Spotting Early Warning Signs
One of the greatest threats facing both employees and the... Read More
Job Hunting Tips: Taking Care of Yourself
Looking for work is generally a miserable undertaking. No matter... Read More
Make em READ Your Cover Letter Using This Killer Secret!
Got your attention? Great. That was my intention. Who wouldn't... Read More
A Career With The FBI
Do you have what it takes to become an FBI... Read More
Careers, Jobs & Employment |