Tips For a Successful Job Search After a Vacation

Tips For a Successful Job Search After a Vacation slightly everything; Flickr Hopefully, you’ve had some time to lay in the sun and dip your toes in the water this summer. Now that summer is coming to an end, it’s time to start thinking about what’s next on your agenda. Most people are transitioning back into their daily routines. Whether it’s heading back to work, getting ready for school, or searching for a job, this is a great time for you to focus on your career goals. According to a new survey by Monster.com, 75 percent of respondents said they are likely to search for a new job upon returning from vacation. In addition, 55 percent of respondents say they would take time off from work to search for a new job. If your summer vacation has you thinking about making a career move, here are five tips to help you get back into your job search: 1. Start with a clean slate Most people come back from vacations feeling refreshed and relaxed. Chances are, you’ve had time to reflect on your life and career, which means you might be ready to take the next step to find better opportunities. To begin your post-vacation job search, start with a clean slate. Create a list of goals for your job search and determine which employers you’ll target. Once you have an idea for which direction you’ll take with your job search, it’s time to put your ideas to work! 2. Create a checklist A checklist is a great way to organize your job search. Once you have some goals created, it’s time to get them organized. If you need some help creating a job search checklist, here are some ideas to get you started: Make a list of employers and contacts. Network with employers, recruiters, and professionals on social media. Update resume, cover letter, and portfolio. Obtain references and letters of recommendation. Draft a networking email and send it to employers. Apply for one job per day. 3. Prioritize your time One of the biggest challenges job seekers face when getting back into their job search is making enough time for their job search tasks. Dedicate time each day when you’ll focus solely on your job search and networking efforts. Whether it’s an hour each evening or three hours on the weekend, dedicate a window of time when you’ll focus the most on your job search. When it comes time to interview for jobs, make sure you schedule interviews around your current work schedule. If needed, use your vacation time to schedule a day when you can go to multiple interviews. 4. Kick up your networking to the next level Chances are, if you’ve been on vacation for the last week or so, you’ve been far away from your email and social media. But now that you’re into your routine, it’s time to take your networking efforts up a notch. Although you’ll be spending a lot of time sending your resumes to employers, you need to remember to build your network. Wherever you go, connect with people who can help you with your search. This is a great way to discover unadvertised job postings and opportunities, too. Be sure to get involved with professional organizations, contact your colleagues for coffee, attend conferences, and go to social opportunities such as parties and mixers. Also, don’t forget to always have your business cards on hand! 5. Stay persistent and don’t give up Every job seeker needs to approach their job search with enthusiasm. Although it might get stressful at times and even frustrating, you need to be persistent and stay motivated. Remember, there is an opportunity waiting for you; you just have to discover it! As you continue your job search, keep networking, applying for jobs, and following up with employers. Even if you’re landing interviews, don’t lose momentum with your job search until you secure a full-time position. What tips do you have for getting back into your job search after vacation?