In a previous post, I shared one potential structure for a job search plan.  Now, I’ll admit that it seems a bit complicated.  But when I put the plan together, I wasn’t focused on spending 10% of my time on follow up.  Instead, I focused on a time management technique called time blocking.

What is time blocking?

Time blocking is basically making appointments on your calendar to complete tasks or projects.  The benefit of the practice is that it helps you to reinforce your priorities.  Often, we find that little things like email, phone calls, and dusting the furniture fill the space in our lives, crowding out the time we need to spend on the important stuff.  By scheduling in advance for the week what you plan to do, and making sure that schedule reflect your priorities, you are far more likely to have accomplished the things you blocked time for–the things that will help you find that perfect job.

How to time block

In order to time block, you need to be working with a calendar.  If you’re not currently using a calendar, get one today.  I mean now.  There is no better tool for helping you get a handle on how you spend your time.

Once you have a working calendar, time blocking is pretty simple.  Just schedule yourself appointments to complete what you want to complete.

For instance, you may know you want  to spend 30 minutes each day reviewing job boards, two hours actually applying to positions that you’re interested in, 15 minutes on follow up, etc.  Simply mark the time on your calendar.

Okay, maybe it’s not quite that simple.  Here’s some things to keep in mind.

Best practices in time blocking

• Enforce your own system.  Once something is on the calendar, hold yourself to it.  Don’t move the time blocks around because you absolutely must watch that rerun of Seinfeld.  The only permissable reason to move a time block is if something that is a legitimately higher priorities bumps it.
• Create focus.  Turn off your email, ignore the phone.  Make sure the time you set aside is productive.  As you get more efficient, you’ll be able to set aside less time to accomplish the work.
• Know your energy levels.  If you’re a morning person, set aside time first thing in the morning.  If you do your best work later, make it the afternoon.  Spend your low-energy times on low-impact activities.
• Reevaluate regularly.  Is the system working?  Are you able to maintain the commitments you make to yourself?  Are you making progress?  Identify anything that may be tripping you up, and tweak the schedule as necessary.

How do you keep yourself focused during your job search?

photo credit: badjonni

Related posts:

1. How much is too much?: The Job Search Plan
2. How to get the job: Incremental choice and job search
3. 15 minutes a day to more productive work
4. 5 ways to bring focus into your day
5. Not everything is a job search nail: Effective use of your resume

Tagged as: attention, behavioral interviewing, Career, effectiveness, job hunt, job search, time management