How to Find a Job While Working Full-Time

If you’ve made the decision to change jobs, you’re probably one of the many people each year that will begin searching for a new job. Fortunately, you still have a job to hold you over until you find a better one. Job searching can be difficult if you don’t have a plan. Here’s how to find a job while working full time:

Make a Plan

Job hunting will be difficult and fruitless if you don’t have a plan. The first thing that you should do is figure out the basic things that you need to know such as what type of job you are looking for, how much it needs to pay you, and what makes it a better job than the one that you have. Once you have an idea of what job you’re looking for, plan how you will find that job. Make a list of the places that you can look and that you think will generate the best results. Gather the materials that you have to help you with the process. That includes your support team as well. Most people need the support of their families in the job hunt because it can be stressful. Families and friends are a great way of resolving that stress. Plus, having help sending your resume, cover letter, follow-ups, and thank you letters can save a lot of time and stress.

Start with the Basics

Before you start contacting potential employers, you need to go over the basic steps to ensure that you’re ready for success. The documents and emails that you will send to employers need to be revised (or written if you don’t have them) so that they portrait you in the best light possible. Considerations like format, readability, accuracy, and style are all important. Take the time to review all of the documents that you will use in your job hunt. When you’re finished, ask others to review them with you to ensure that you don’t make mistakes.

Establish a Routine

Every job has a schedule, and your job hunt should be structured like a second job. Setting a schedule is crucial to your success. If you are serious about finding a new job quickly, having a set schedule sets the foundation of your process. That way, you’re committed and you have a tangible commitment to keep to yourself accountable. Your routine can even include your support team. You can have your team help with searching sites for leads that match a specific set of criteria. It’s a great way to practice your management skills before you get to your new job.

Set Tangible Goals

While the job search process can be both stressful and cathartic, it is easy to get lost in an endless cycle of routines. Create a set of tangible goals that lead up to successfully finding a new job such as finding X number of qualified leads per day, sending X number of resumes per week, or getting X number of interviews per month. You could even gamify your goals like completing a certain number of application/interview cycles per month or successfully continuing the process passed the thank you letter stage. Establish little rewards for yourself to stay motivated and put one of your support team members in charge of tracking rewards.

Job hunting while you have a full-time job can be difficult, but is not impossible. Organization is key to making the process easier and successful. If you are looking for a new job while working full-time, get the help that you need to ensure that you’ll be successful.