Look, we’ve all been there. You sit down to work on your job search, update your cover letter, and tailor your resume to the job posting. But before you get started you check your e-mail one last time. Or you read through just a few posts on LinkedIn. Or you just keep finding one more thing to do first. Before you know it, the time you’ve blocked out for yourself is gone. So now what?

The trick is being aware of what causes your procrastination. Then, get ahead of it. Let’s take a look at several things you can try now to make major progress in your job search. You may already be doing one of these things, great! Make sure you’re keeping an eye on all 4 areas. Doing so will reign in your focus so you can take steps toward your goal: landing a new career!

Schedule time to find and apply for roles.

It’s not enough to just block out the time, you have to stick to it! There will always be a million other things you could be doing. The job search requires time and must be prioritized. Eliminate all distractions. One way to do this is to silence any notifications on your phone, tablet, laptop, etc. Both Apple and Android have “focus” features where you can select which notifications are silenced and for how long. If you’re still feeling overwhelmed, focus on the first five minutes. Then, focus on the next five. This technique can help you get over the first hurdle of just getting started.

Find an accountability partner.

It always seems easier to get something done when you have to update someone on your progress, doesn’t it? Find someone who understands the goal you have in mind, and set up weekly check-ins. This person may also be navigating a career search, just like you. Or, perhaps they’re a mentor and can give you guidance and encouragement. Either way, sharing your progress with your accountability partner will help keep you on track.

Be realistic with your schedule.

Many times, I unintentionally procrastinate simply because I overload my schedule with a mile-long to-do list. If you find yourself with a lot on your plate, stop and take stock. Write down all the “to-dos” that are currently clouding your mind. Then, identify the things you must do. Next, pare the list down to only urgent matters that can’t wait. You may be surprised by just how few of those tasks made it to your urgent list. After you’ve highlighted the urgent tasks, be realistic with yourself on how long these tasks take to complete. Once you have a grasp on what you need to do, and how long it takes to do it, you can plan accordingly.

Reward yourself along the way.

Rather than saving your celebration until you actually start a new role, set mini-milestones. This way, you can reward yourself along the way! Ex: Give yourself a small treat once you complete XX aligned applications. Emphasis on aligned because we don’t do the spray and pray method. It doesn’t have to be an elaborate reward - think of what motivates you. It could be as simple as trying a new spot for lunch. Or, buying a new item to add to your wardrobe. The rewards you choose for yourself will act as motivators to keep you focused and ready to start again. And procrastination? You don’t know her.

Next Steps:

Looking for help navigating your career search? Whether it’s because you have no idea what you want to do next or because things just don’t seem to be working out in your favor, I’ve got you covered. Book one of my career strategy sessions today!

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