You could learn this tool. You could apply for this job. You could do this thing. Or that thing. Or this…

Managing your time when your time is unlimited is the great irony of job searching. Learning the self-discipline to manage your time was one lesson I thought I had down. With a BA and several well-known companies on my resume, I thought I knew the game. Turns out, every player can learn new moves. This is what I learned in an extended job search and what works for me. Your mileage may vary. But if you are struggling in your own job search party, I would encourage you to try a few of these out!

Start Motivated

I used to start my day with a haphazard review of the news (read: doom-scrolling), coffee, and toast. While this may be effective for just starting my day, It was not effective for launching it. I now write a list of daily affirmations, setup a loose daily agenda, embrace gratitude and make a point of reaching out to the folks who matter most in my life.

The difference is palpable. I still mess up - spend too much time on YouTube cat videos, for instance. But largely I am in the right frame of mind to practice the art of job search. Yes, that is right - the job search is a practice, not an activity.

Job Development As A Practice

Just like programming, finding a job that suits your tastes especially as a Junior with limited career capital (I am looking at you - Cal Newport, So Good They Can’t Ignore You) is something you need to aim, fire, and repeat. My first code application (written in BASIC) was a lovely dumpster fire and likewise, my first job applications were the same. The point is not to get it right the first time, but to improve your aim with time. This is best done with a daily agenda in mind.

Set an Agenda

In the past, I might spin up my computer, log on to LinkedIn, and rub my hands together hoping to make something happen. I have found much more success, however, in dividing my day into three buckets - AM, PM, EVE. That’s it. My goal is to have one or two activities in each bucket. A sample activity might be as simple as Code Challenge (𝓲). Crossing off an activity is immensely satisfying and grounds me in my motivation.

What is the 𝓲 you say? Each activity I write gets assigned a 𝓲, 𝓹, or ℯ rating. I, for investment. I am investing in my career development to land a job. P for productive. This is strictly for job applications, job interviews, and thank you notes sent. My grandma’s phone call to say good night doesn’t count! E is everything else. By holding myself accountable in this way, I can see when I let too much fear of putting myself out there (lots of I), or lack of focus (too much E) run my job search and right the ship!

Let the good times flow

Just like setting a good agenda is important, your tone and a general sense of self will be revealed as you write cover letters. To counteract any feelings of non-accomplishment (despite my agenda list crossing off), I practice writing out daily affirmations. Simple things that remind me of who I am and what I have set up to accomplish. The job search can also be discouraging and disparaging - I counter that with a list of gratitudes. There is a lot to be grateful for as I pursue a career I love, relying on supportive family and friends for the journey.

Get off that island

Finally, I find the job search to be isolating. From the impersonal initial interviews, awkward networking, and semi-targeted scrolling looking for a job that fits, it can be a bit daunting. To counteract, I reach out to two people a day. It could be something simple like - “Hi. It’s been 8 weeks since…” If you think about it, pre-covid and in person, this might be a natural function of your life; drinks with old colleagues and morning coffee and donuts with new ones. In a remote-first world, we must leave ourselves simple reminders to connect with those we care about.

There you have it.

This my routine. It does evolve, but not constantly. The best advice that I have been given is - stick with something and stay awhile (thanks Jim Rohn!). There are things I might change in the future, but for the magic to work, sometimes you have to let it unfold. Otherwise, you end up with a flattened dough-cake and not a soufflé!

Giving Credit

** I owe a debt of gratitude to “Ninja Selling” by Larry Kendall and the aggregated works of Jim Rohn for the ideas for this routine. Many things were adapted for my context as a software developer creating his next opportunity, but the lessons taught by both were invaluable.*