Job Search: Where Do I Start?

Last week, a close friend reached out with the news: “My contract might not be renewed in the fall. I need to start job searching… but where do I even begin?”

It’s a question I hear often, from clients and friends alike.

In my friend’s case, she has a resume, but has never done a formal job search. Most of her roles had come from word of mouth, or simply walking into the HR office at the right time.

So I walked her through the same strategy I share with my clients. If you’re wondering what steps to take, and in what order, this is a solid place to start.

1. Get clear on your target role.

This is the foundation of your entire job search. It might take 20 minutes, or it might take a few months of exploration. Either is okay. But the more clarity you have here, the easier everything else becomes.

2. Create a Target Company List.

This doesn’t mean you’re limited to working at these companies. A Target Company List is a tool to clarify what kinds of organizations you’d love to work for: industry, size, values, location, salary, and so on.

It’s also incredibly helpful when you’re networking. When you're specific, people can actually help. If you say, “I’m open to anything,” it’s hard for anyone to know what that means.

3. Update your professional materials.

Your resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile should highlight the experiences most relevant to your target job and companies. In today’s competitive market, it’s much more effective to present yourself as a specialist than a generalist.

4. Start networking with your Power Circle.

These are the people who already know, like, and trust you. They might not work in your target industry, and that’s okay. You never know who your friend’s sister’s cousin might know.

Share your target job and company list, and ask if they know anyone you should talk to. Always ask, “Is there someone else you’d recommend I connect with?” to keep the momentum going.

(Just don’t skip straight to this step. Your Power Circle can help you most effectively once you’ve done steps 1–3.)

5. Prepare for interviews before you need them.

Don’t wait until you get the call to start prepping. You can do a lot of groundwork ahead of time. Begin building a bank of 10–20 STAR/CAR stories. These are short, specific accomplishment stories you can share in 2 minutes or less. Practice out loud to build confidence and engrain the stories in your memory.

Feeling overwhelmed?

I get it. This is a lot to juggle, especially when you’re tired or discouraged or didn’t see a job change coming. Most of us weren’t taught how to conduct an effective job search, or how to do it without losing ourselves in the process.

But if you’re like my friend, just knowing there’s a path forward can bring a little peace of mind. Even imperfect steps are still steps forward.

If you’d like support, I’d love to help. You don’t have to navigate this alone.

Schedule a Discovery Call with me here.