On the #jobhunt? How's your time management???

Let's face it, looking for a new job can be a real workout.  If you don't manage your time well, your in trouble.  It's easier to experience burnout when looking for a job than when your actually working.  Step back, take a few minutes to read the suggestions below and really think about how you are approaching your search.

The article by Lifehacker is where a lot of my information comes from and was also the idea for writing this article.  Credit to the great writers at Lifehacker, they always have something valuable to read.

1) Treat your jobhunt like a real job.  The first thing you have to get your brain around is that you may not be employed but you still have a job.  Your current job is... To Find A New Job!  Treat your jobhunt like a job.  Spend the same amount of hours as you would in a paid position.  Treat yourself like your 'on salary' as opposed to hourly because, obviously your not getting paid OT!

1.a) Build a schedule.  You need to define your working hours so you know when you are finished working for the day.  Don't spend all your waking time looking for work.  You wouldn't spend all your waking hours at the office would you?  Don't spend all your waking hours looking for a job.  I suggest your schedule covers a good portion of the "8 to 5" hours because that's when recruiters and hiring managers are most likely at the office.
        1.b) You can stop here or really define your schedule by blocking times or days that you approach your job search in different ways.  Monday could be your meeting day, Tuesday could be your 'submit application' day or maybe you have decided to work from 10AM to 7 PM.  10 to noon could be your time for making phone calls.  I wont go into serious detail here but you get the point.
        1.c) Consider a split schedule or a schedule that covers more than 40 hours.  You will want to work during the morning hours (8to 10) and afternoon (330 to 5) because that's the best time to make phone calls.  Whatever you do remember to keep your schedule flexible.  Remembering work/home balance (I talk more about this below) I suggest you keep your job search to 60 hours or less.

2) Practice telling time.  Can you tell me when 5 minutes have passed with any accuracy?  I bet you think you can but if your like most people, including me, you can't.  Start wearing a watch or keeping one close by and really test how long your daily activities take.  Think it takes 5 minutes to write a thank you letter after an interview?  It takes me an hour.  The ability to accurately estimate time intervals is essential to making your day as productive as possible.
      2.a) This is also very helpful during interviews and meetings.  If you agree to spend 20 minutes with someone, you need to know how long 20 minutes really is.  If someone has agreed to meet (network) with you, respect their time.  Don't take more time than you agreed to even if the meeting is going stellar.  Explain you respect their time and offer to reschedule to continue the conversation.  They will appreciate it and the impression is always positive.
      2.b) Paying greater attention to time is one of the most important things you can do during a job interview.  ALWAYS give yourself at least 15 minutes longer than you think it takes to drive to the interview location.  You don't want construction or traffic to make it look like you are a habitually tardy person.  Try not to arrive in the parking lot no more than 15 minutes early.  Many business have cameras on their parking lot and they may be watching.  More than 15 minutes early to the lot makes you look desperate; remember they need you as bad as you need the job.  Stop at a close gas station if you are too early.  15 minutes early to the lot gives you about 5 minutes to walk to the building.  You do not want to actually enter the building more than 10 minutes early.  No employer wants you sitting in their lobby for 30 minutes waiting for the interview.  Again, you look desperate and it makes them feel rushed.

3) Learn to use little bits of time or "how to eat an elephant".   How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.  How do you tackle a big project or seemingly overwhelming task?  One small item at a time.
      3.a) In this age of social media it's easy to get overwhelmed.  For example, I follow over 125 people on Twitter (as a side note, experts say it's hard to interact with more than a total of 150 friends, I'd say the same number applies for how many people you follow on Twitter not including lists.)  If I don't keep track of my Twitter stream it can get overwhelming and quick.  Ever check TweetDeck or whatever you use to see that you have 1000+ unread Tweets?  Easy just to skip past them all isn't it?  Don't do this.   If you have followed item 1 above, you getting a better understanding of how long things take and how quickly time actually passes.  When you realize have 5/10 minutes (waiting for a bus?  too early for an interview? standing in line at the grocery store? you get the point) use these little blocks of time to catch up small items like reading a few tweets or making a quick check on LinkedIn status updates.  Taking advantage of these small time blocks makes sure you stay current in the social media game and opens your bigger blocks of time for more important tasks.

4) Anticipate and prioritize your interruptions.  The "outside world" and sometimes our immediate world does not care what task we are working on or how important it is.  Filling out an online application and notice you just got an email?  That email could be a job offer! I have to check it NOW!
      4.a) NO you DON'T.  Whatever task you are working on, updating your resume, filling out an application, interruptions will happen.  Don't let minor distractions take you away from the task at hand.  No matter what that email is, it will wait until you are finished filling out that application.  So what if it's a job offer?  They made the offer so they are willing to wait a reasonable amount of time to hear your reply.  If you stop what you are doing to handle those distractions it's easier to fall off task and that first thing you were working on will take much longer, throwing off your schedule for the rest of the day.

5) Delegate effectively.  Wait, I'm NOT WORKING!  Who can I delegate to?  If you live alone, maybe no one.  If you are like me you have a wife and kids.  I spend the majority of my time at home (because I'm not working) and therefore fixing dinner, doing the laundry and other household chores fall in my lap.

     5.a) For day to day operations, this may not be a problem (it's not for me) but sometimes something comes up.  Have a networking event in the afternoon that means you won't be home to fix dinner?  Need to work on a presentation for an interview over the weekend and can't take time for household chores?  Your spouse/family is there to support you.  They love you and want you to succeed.  My wife never offers to handle these day to day chores because (and I quote) "I look like I have it all handled".  If something comes up and I ask her however, she never hesitates to say "yes" and help me where I need it.

6) Identify your Prime Time.  What hours of the day are you most "on point"?  What time is the most effective for you?  Some people are night owls and others are early risers (I'm an early riser, 5:45 every morning).  Identify your most productive time and apply it where it matters most.

     6.a) This will be different for everyone.  If your a night owl, 9 PM is probably not the best time to make phone calls.  Or maybe it is, perhaps you are the type of person that prefers to leave a voice-mail.  (I passionately disagree with this method but the jobhunt while similar for all also boils down to "what works most effective for me".)
     6.b) As an early riser, I can scan my tasks for the day and prepare for any phone calls I need to make.  This allows me to be prepared to make those calls starting at 8:15 sharp (my preferred time to make calls).  I love the morning, I can review my plans for the day, make preparations or adjustments as needed and tackle the day "ready for anything".   If you are a night owl, maybe you should be making all those preparations the night before.  Look at your task list for the following day and make preparations as needed.  Have a meeting or interview tomorrow?  Go over your notes and pick your outfit the night before.


7) VERY IMPORTANT.  START SCHEDULING AND ENJOYING YOUR FREE TIME.

Now that you have a better understanding of time and you are using every minute to its fullest you can start actually scheduling free time for yourself.  This is one of the most important things you can do for yourself.  When you schedule free time, you are more likely to spend that time on yourself instead of stressing out over your job search.  Taking free time gives you a feeling of accomplishment because you will feel like you earned the time and it's a self-reward.  This is also a great opportunity to 'give back' to that family that has been supporting you.  Kids and spouses don't understand or appreciate "always job hunting" any more than they appreciate "always working".  Taking time for self and family makes you a more balanced person and offers you a chance to recharge your batteries, making you more productive during your working hours and more involved during family time.   A balanced life, equal parts "work" and "personal" has proven to have a positive affect overall; lower stress levels, better general health, stronger emotional ties with family and friends and more productive person at the office.  Your next employer will appreciate that you already know how to balance your life and understand the value you bring to their company.

The jobhunt is a stressful time.  It's a lot of work networking and searching for that next job.  Better time management will make you more effective.  I hope the time you spent reading this article offers you a return on your investment.  Thanks for reading.






(Remember to ignore this, it's just all my tags.  No need to read this, its just SEO. Employeer, internet, Job, Jobseeker, Lifehacker, Online Reputation Management, ORM, Recruiter, Social media, Wikipedia, chester, chester paul, chester paul lohman, paul, paul lohman, lohman, trainer, manager, Landing page, internet, internet tools, blog, blogging, bookmark, bookmarking,  email, IM, shopping, social network, social networking, social news)

So, who is this "Chester Lohman" anyway???

I figure that the first post here should be a little bit about me.  You can see from the "about me" section that I've been working at some job, of some kind, for a long time (I'm in my 30's now).  What else is there to know about me???
I'm married, I love my wife more than I thought possible.  I was married before, follies of young lust and all that. My first wife and I are still friends.  We don't talk much but we don't try to burn each others house down either.  I met my current (and last!) wife through a friend.  I knew she was 'the one' the first time I saw her.  It's been bliss ever since.  Lucky me, I think she kinda likes me too!
I have two kids.  They are both in grade school and really good kids.  they get in trouble from time to time, try not to finish their dinner, make me tell them something 5000 times and all the usual kid stuff but I'm not searching their room for crack pipes so I think I'm doing OK as a dad.  Speaking of being a dad, I.  LOVE.  IT!!!!!  Life as a Dad is 1000% more rewarding than I ever thought possible.  I am reminded each and every day that I have a part in shaping who these little people will grow into as adults.  It's an awesome responsibility and the most rewarding job, ever.
I love tech.  All kinds of tech, computers, phones, new ways that tech affect our lives.  Everything about tech is amazing to me.  I have a phone with a processor thats just as fast as my kiddo's laptops!!! (both are 1Ghz but obviously very different processors).  How did things move so fast?  I remember when that laptop was MINE and I was proud of it!  I love watching Android SMOKE the iPhone too, I'm not a big fan of Mr. Jobs but I won't go into that.
I love cars.  Old cars are best but new cars interest me as well.  I'm excited to see the new Fiat, can't wait for an opportunity to test drive one of those babies!  I like the new Challenger and the Camero but I'm disappointed in both as well.  I drool over every piece of 60's & 70's Detroit steel I can get close to.  Old Fords, Chevy's, Dodge's it doesn't matter.  I'm partial to Chevy but if it was built before I was, I like it.  The Chevy Corvette has to be my fav old car.  Love the '72 Stingray in blue with the white convertible top and matching interior.  Of course the engine should be the monster 454.
I'm working on my faith.  I fell away for a long time (sorry Dad, I know you taught me better) and having a family makes me realize that God needs to be a major player in my life.  I can't do any of this alone (Dad, Husband, Generally Good Person) without screwing it up so I try to listen to the Big Man Upstairs as much as possible.  I fail, a lot.  One thing I know for sure is I'm Not Perfect.  I try not to kick myself for it too much tho.  I just put my head down and keep plowing.  (5 "special chester lohman internet points" to the reader that can name who I just quoted.)


Um, what else should I tell you about?  I don't know just yet.  What am I going to write about?  I don't know that either.  I plan to use this space as a forum to help others learn about Social Media, Online Reputation Management and how the Internet (notice the capital "I"? that's me being funny) can help them with their job search.  More to come, same bat-channel but maybe not same bat-time.