Searching for a job can be a full-time effort in itself, that’s why planning your time and managing your process is necessary. Job hunting can be a stress-inducing endeavour, so strategically planning it will save you a lot of hassle and unnecessary pain.

Determining what you want out of this job search and working towards it will help you. You will soon feel like the hunt is a less frustrating effort and will soon yield success.

Research and determine your dream role

Look at the Keepmeposted job board, and check out roles you might fit into. This will help you understand the skill sets required, and industries looking for roles that appeal to you. If it helps, write your own dream job description, utilising your skills, background and experience in a way that would be fulfilling to you. This stage is all about understanding the opportunities that are out there and getting a clear view of your options. At this point, it is also worth noting how your qualifications translate from one industry to the next.

List your career goals and values

It is crucial that you have a clear picture of what you want out of your career and what is important to you. If the option to work remotely is important or a necessity to you, you will need to find jobs that can be executed remotely with companies that support or encourage remote work (note whether they are remote-friendly or remote-first). If it’s important to you to engage with people, you may want to look for jobs that are people-centric. Understanding that you have your individual needs will help you streamline what you want out of your job. List your key strengths, achievements and experiences you are most proud of and aim to find a role within an industry that is akin to them. If you find yourself within a role that doesn’t align well with your expertise and passions, you will not be happy there for long.

Research prospective employers

Make a list of dream companies you’d love to work for… and why. The “why” is of utmost importance here, because it will help you recognise why some industries may appeal to you. Consider which company cultures and values resonate with you. List what’s important to you and who is most likely to offer it.

Get yourself organised

Build a spreadsheet with the list of roles you’ve applied for, at which company and keep a copy of the job description, as advertised. This will help you highlight how your skillset and/or experience aligns with the company’s requirements, if you are called for an interview. Include columns for each point in your to-do list and mark the next steps you need to take for each application – such as a follow up email, writing the cover letter and so on.

Prepare your CV, cover letter and portfolio templates

Remember that for successful results, you will need to update and customise your documents for each job application. This will likely be very time-consuming, so make sure your documents are easily editable. When you save your documents, also make sure to include the company and role in the document title so as not to confuse documents when sending applications! Always double check for good measure. After some time, check it again before sending. When looking at your application with fresh eyes, it’s more likely you’ll spot mistakes.

Curate your online presence

Whether you like it or not, your employers will be having a look at your social media accounts. Archive or delete anything you don’t want a potential employer to see. This is your personal brand, at the end of the day. Make the most of your LinkedIn account and set your other, less professional accounts to private if you prefer.

Keep your head high and don’t get discouraged, you’ll get there! Good luck on your job hunt.