Looking for a job is a full-time job. It’s rare that the perfect job would land in your lap without any effort on your part. It’s time to map out your strategy and decide on a winning game plan.

You’ve had some time to adjust to the idea of being unemployed. Hopefully, you’ve read my earlier posts and are now feeling better about the situation.

If you haven’t had a chance to read through them, start with the first in this 4-part series. In the 2nd installment, we talked about having an Attitude of Gratitude.

Did you follow my suggestions from the last post to bring some creativity into your life? Have you identified your core values and beliefs – those internal drivers that will guide you through the tough times, no matter what?

Today, let’s bring some of that new awareness to the forefront and create your game board. I use the metaphor of a game to bring some playfulness to your job-hunting effort. It will demand all of your will, your focus and much of your time.

There are 4 elements to creating your game board.

Rules
Every game has rules. Some rules can be revised by the players if everyone agrees. In life, there will be some rules that are a “must,” and some that you can change out if you don’t like them.

Earlier, you used some of your creative time to become clearer on your values and your beliefs. Which ones will become the foundation for your “rule set” in this new game?

Where is the game taking place? If it’s a board game, you have the boundaries established. If it’s a softball game, which field and city? For your game of job hunting, where will you look?

Do you have some geographic constraints due to family situations? Or are you willing to relocate? If you’re going back to school, does a night shift interest you right now? Do you require days? Or are you flexible with either?

What other “rules” are part of your game?

Strategy
Once you know the object of the game (find the right job), you have to invest some time in laying out your “how” to win the game by following the rules. You may want to have more than one strategy. Conceivably, you could run multiple strategies simultaneously. This your game; how’s it going to play out?

Identify at what point you must step back, revisit and consider a Pan B. Knowing you have alternate choices you can lean upon until the right job comes along will offer peace of mind and reduce your day-to-day stress.

Players
You are the main character in this game. There are others who will be in this game; who are they? Which companies will you target for sending resume’s and making calls?

Identify your supporters that will help keep you in a positive state. Select mentors, people with connections who can introduce you to others.  What additional resources will you call upon?

Length of Play
There are two parts to this piece. How long will you play the game each day? And how long will you stay in the game until you go to a Plan B as a temporary option?

This game is not for the weak-hearted! You will need to dedicate a minimum of 4 hours every day in this game if you expect to find the best job. Serious job seekers will invest 6 or more hours every day.

You have many priorities in your life. The time may come when your resources get tighter and you are forced into some hard decisions. Taking care of your values and your family may require a detour now and then from your main path. That’s okay!

It all serves the main purpose of getting you from here to there . . . to the next leg of your journey in this game we call Life. 

I wish you well and hope you find ways to bring excitement and creativity to your new endeavors.

Have a Golden Day!
Coach Darlene