4 Ways To Be Productive While Job Hunting

July 28, 2017

Job hunting can be a long and stressful process, but it doesn’t have to be unproductive. This newfound free time should be taken advantage of. Searching for a job requires a plan of action for how you will spend your time so that it is not wasted. When you feel productive, you stay motivated. Here are four ways to effectively use your time during a job search.

1. Learn.
This time is an opportunity to sharpen the existing skills on your resume and gain new ones. Attending seminars, taking online courses, reading books and getting certifications are all productive ways to continue expanding your knowledge and growing your skillset. Don’t forget to stay up to date on trends and current events taking place in the industry while you’re job searching. Continue to educate and challenge yourself by learning new information and taking on new projects.

2. Network.
During a job search, networking is one of the most productive activities to do. First, you should inform your existing network (friends, family, current professional contacts, etc.) that you are searching for a job. Your contacts may know of a job opportunity that you don’t want to miss. Many times, employers rely on personal recommendations from colleagues. Second, you should use this time to build and expand your network through networking events, job fairs and social media sites such as LinkedIn.

3.Volunteer.
Not many people will do work for free, so volunteering will make you stand out amongst other candidates. Volunteer work is unique; because this work is done for free, you oftentimes choose your work, which means it can be used to sharpen your specialty skills. Volunteering not only helps in expanding your network, by allowing you to meet new people, it also gives you the opportunity to gain valuable work experience and build your portfolio.

4. Do freelance or part-time work.
Although volunteer work is valuable, money is necessary to survive during a job hunt. For that reason, you should fill your time by doing freelance or part-time work. Finding temporary work that is relevant to your industry is a great way to make new professional contacts, showcase your talent and add to your portfolio. Having a variety of experience under your belt increases your odds of being the “perfect” candidate for the next job. Additionally, sometimes part-time gigs turn into a full-time offer from the company.