Before You Begin Your Job Search
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2004-07-02 15:24:00-04:00
You want to find a new job. You should jump into your job search as quickly as you can - right? Well, maybe not.
Have you lost your job? Are you working now and want to get a different job? Maybe work in a different field? Are you entering the job market for the first time or after some time away?
Whatever your situation, feeling some pressure is natural.
But your job search has a better chance of success if you take these steps before you start:
- Know yourself
- Search for the right job
- Get support
You don't have to spend a lot of time on these steps. Sometimes, even a few minutes will do. You might already know all the information in one of the steps. Maybe you prefer to spread a step out while you're searching. Or do the steps in a different order.
All that, of course, is fine. The key is in the old saying: Get ready. Get set. And only then - Go.
Know Yourself
After living and working for many years, you know yourself pretty well. But we all change.
Learning new information about yourself can lead to new job ideas. Take some time to think about what you really want. Summarize what your past work has taught you about yourself. These actions will help you focus on the right jobs for you now.
Most career experts suggest looking at your skills, interests, values, and the kind of work setting you prefer. They also say that knowing more about your personality helps you choose jobs that fit you best.
At this point in your life, what do you feel most curious about? The skills and interests you have now? The values you've developed during your work life? Changes in your work preferences over the years?
Jot down notes about yourself. Think about what you have to give to the world. Ask friends and family for their feedback and ideas. Use online assessments. Career One-Stop Centers offer free assessments and job advice. These are the new versions of the U.S. Department of Labor's job service offices, located in thousands of communities.
Search for the Right Job
Once you have done some work getting to know your interests, skills, values, and preferences, you can use what you've learned to search for the right job for you.
Here are some questions to help you focus your research.
- If you have been working for awhile…
Do you want to look for a similar job in the same field?
Do you want to stay in a similar job but branch out into a different field?
Or do you really want to try something completely new? - If you are entering the job market for the first time or after some time away…
Do you feel drawn to work you've done in the past?
What volunteer or other non-paid work have you done that you thoroughly enjoyed?
Once you have chosen a few areas to explore, do some research on the jobs and fields you're thinking of.
Answer questions like:
- Is this field growing or shrinking?
- How will changes in this field affect the kind and number of jobs in the field?
- In what other fields does the job exist?
- Will the job stay the same or will it change?
- What do I have to learn, in order to do this job in the future?
- Will jobs in this field exist where I live?
There is a huge amount of information available on job fields and jobs. When you begin your job search, try not to get lost in the details. Remind yourself of the question you want answered. Skip or come back later to facts that don't answer your question.
If you're following online links, be especially careful to stay on track. Avoid the temptation to surf!
Choose one or two sources of information to begin with. Stick with those to answer your questions. Use more sources only if you need to confirm what you've already found.
Try to end up with a maximum of one or two job fields, and one or two kinds of jobs to search.
Get Support
The hardest support to ask for may be from yourself. People who are looking for a job can be hard on themselves. You may also feel uneasy asking someone else for help.
Try one or two of these ideas to get more energy and confidence for your job search.
- Think of what you like to do for fun. Maybe it's something you haven't done in a while. Focus on things that cost little money. What about bowling? Going out to lunch on a weekday? Frisbee? Golf? A nature walk with a grandchild or a friend?
Schedule this activity. Do it alone or with someone else. Make this a priority. Say you're busy if anything else comes up. Schedule something fun at least once a week. - Pick three or four activities that relax you and that you can do at home. Choose something that is tried and true. Maybe more time over the morning newspaper? Taking the dog for an extra walk? A hot bath?
Or consider something you've been meaning to try. How about stopping to take some slow, deep breaths every noon? Breathing deeply and slowly helps you calm down and feel more relaxed.
Take 15 minutes a day for a relaxing activity. - Call a family meeting. Let everyone know what you're doing. Ask for something specific from each person.
If you've lost your job, put your job search in the most positive light possible. But be honest in discussing changes your family may need to make during your search, like financial planning and budgeting. Decide on some family activities too, to have fun or relax together. - Ask a friend or two to be your sounding boards. Let them know in advance that you'll probably need them to listen to your ups and downs and offer encouragement. Set up some times each week to talk on the phone or get together.
- Ask friends, former colleagues, or family members for help. They can help you research the job market, do self-assessments, or create and track a job-search plan. Ask the same friends for each set of tasks, or different friends for each. Choose folks who'll get into the process with you, prod you when you need it, and give you other points of view.
Now you're ready to actually search for your next job.
Additional Resources
Career One-Stop Center
Learn what self-assessments are available to you from One-Stop Centers.
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