Developing Your Personal Job Search Strategy & Action Plan
Career transition and job search are challenging at any time. Given our current environment and circumstances that many of us are experiencing now, however, it brings unique and amplified challenges that we must confront. It is easy to feel that so much is beyond our control in this situation such as:
- What positions are available
- How many people are entering the job market along with us
- What internal challenges are going on inside companies or organizations that may impact hiring (hiring freeze, budget cuts, etc.)
Instead of focusing on these things and allowing them to keep us frozen, we want to focus on what we CAN control—our own actions. This is where developing your own, personal “Job Search Strategy & Action Plan” comes in. This is where you strategically, step-by-step, take actions that move you forward toward your goal. This action allows you to leverage the power that you have to influence what comes next. Here is an acronym—ADVANCE–that helps us break down these steps:
- ASSESS yourself
- DETERMINE your targets
- VISION – where you are now and where you want to be
- ACTIVATE your marketing tools
- NOURISH your professional development
- CULTIVATE your network
- EVALUATE your process & progress
Assess
When you are entering a period of career transition, it is important to be grounded in knowledge of who we are and what we see ourselves doing. It is only by knowing ourselves well that we can articulate what we are all about to others. We need to know how to confidently describe our strengths, personality traits, interests, skills, and values. Taking the time to do this self-reflection and exploration through the use of assessment tools can give us this information. There are many very good and free assessments on-line.
Determine Your Targets
Next you want to determine what organizations or companies you want to target, given your skills, experience, strengths, and values. Once you have a list of organizations to target, you will research what positions within these organizations are aligned with what you bring.
Vision
Where are you now and where do you want to be? What about these positions align with your vision for your future? For each job application, clearly state why this specific job interests you and why you are a great fit.
**Keep your “WHY” FRONT & CENTER as you conduct your job search to motivate you!
Activate Your Marketing Tools
- Optimized Resume – tailored specifically for each position
- LinkedIn Profile – Complete, professional, telling a compelling story of who you are
- 30 Second Commercial/Elevator Pitch (Brief snapshot of your professional background, what your top strengths or “superpowers” are, how you intend to or do use these strengths.)
*Communicating with a clear & consistent personal brand throughout.
Nourish Your Professional Development
Is there any education or training that you need to qualify for the positions that you are targeting? How can you make a plan to get these? Are there any professional certifications that would enhance your qualifications? Are you engaged with professional associations that align with your targets? Consider volunteering to gain relevant experience if this is possible.
Cultivate Your Network
Cultivate a “Relationship-Building” mindset. You can connect with people in-person or online. Leverage LinkedIn and other relevant sites to build your network. Reach out to individuals in the roles you are targeting and set up brief informational interviews. Attend virtual or in-person job fairs and hiring events. Create a spreadsheet for tracking your networking & follow-up.
Evaluate Your Process & Progress
You want to continually track your progress and adjust as necessary by evaluating your efforts and which ones are moving you toward your goals. Seek feedback from people that are knowledgeable about your specific field and fine tune your strategy.
Things to Keep in Mind
- CLARITY – Keep your goal and your “why” front and center.
- PATIENCE & PERSISTENCE – The job search process can be discouraging and can take a significant amount of time. Develop a “thick skin” and stay persistent.
- ACCOUNTABILITY – Treat your job search like a job – show up and do your best every day. Maintain a consistent schedule and devote time and energy to the process. Find a “Job Search Accountability Partner”
- INTERPERSONAL SKILLS – Demonstrate “emotional intelligence” (awareness of self and others) with each interaction as you build relationships. THIS MATTERS!
- SELF-CARE – Be aware of the stress that job search can bring and practice healthy behaviors to manage this and optimize your energy.
Developing and following a personalized Job Search Strategy & Action Plan puts the power back in your hands during a time that can otherwise feel overwhelming. By taking purposeful, consistent steps—guided by clarity, persistence, and self-awareness—you can stay motivated, maintain control over your journey, and ultimately open doors to the opportunities that align with your vision. Remember: your effort today is building the foundation for your next chapter. Stay focused, stay resilient, and trust the process.
