You Need
A Job Search Roadmap
Why is job search so hard?
It’s easy to point a finger at technology for the complexity and horrors that surface in today’s job search. Sure, technology is factor, but I honestly believe it’s minor compared to the accidental error most job seekers make before they ever start a search. One of the biggest mistakes
People are still diving into their job search without a plan for the complexities of today’s job market.
A hundred years ago, when I was a recruiter, it was a lot simpler—you cobbled together a resume, sent it to someone, they looked at it, and you probably got an interview. You had a solid chance of getting a job offer without much fanfare. Even up until about two years ago, there was more predictability in the process.
It’s different now. So, so different.
The internet is filled with information on how to beat technologies, what to buy, why people don’t look at resumes (yes, they do), and thousands of ideas on how to apply and interview. Yet, the loudest voices are still missing the boat when it comes to helping applicants create a complete job search roadmap that generates results.
What’s a Job Search Roadmap?
When I think of a successful job search, four main elements make up the bulk of the strategy:
- Clarify Your Goals
- Develop a Career Story
- Define Your Target
- Assess Your Career Documents
- Draft Your Job Search Plan
Unfortunately, most applicants dive into step number four and they don’t really take the time to draft out activities that will move them forward for number five.
If you look at my 9 Step Roadmap, Steps 1 – 5 are all about Clarifying Your Goals, Developing a Career Story, and Defining Your Target.
Those are five key areas to cover before you look at your resume and LinkedIn to do your updates.
One thing I know with 100% certainty is that applicants who have a niched target get through their job search faster than applicants who are too generic and “open to anything.”
You must have a target!
If you tell the reader who you are, they will believe you.
How Do I Clarify My Goals?
The main tool I suggest in my practice for gaining clarity before you apply is journaling. I know that’s uncomfortable for some, but the act of writing and taking the time to think through what you want, and what you don’t want, will pay off exponentially by shortening your search and helping you see things in the interview process — good and bad.
Clarity Exercise
- What aspects of my current or previous roles have brought me the most satisfaction and fulfillment, and why. Reflecting on what you’ve enjoyed most in your career can help you identify core values and passions that should guide your future choices.
- What specific skills and strengths do I want to use more in my next role, and how do they align with the roles I’m considering? Clarifying the skills you want to leverage can help you focus on roles that will allow you to excel and feel engaged.
- What type of work environment, company culture, and team dynamics do I thrive in, and how can I identify these traits in potential employers Understanding the environment where you perform best can help you target companies that align with your preferred work style and values.
- What are my long-term career aspirations, and how does my next role fit into that vision? Consider how each role you pursue will contribute to your broader career trajectory, ensuring it’s a stepping stone toward your ultimate goals.
- What are the non-negotiable factors (e.g., salary, work-life balance, location, growth opportunities) that I need in my next role to feel satisfied and successful? Identifying your must-haves will help you quickly filter out opportunities that don’t meet your essential criteria, allowing for a more focused job search.
Create Your Job Search Roadmap
Once you feel good about your career goals and values, you can pull together the rest of your roadmap. What you see below is a simple worksheet — you can get as detailed as you like. Just remember that your actions and activities create results, so you don’t need to make this pretty!
1. Clarify Your Goals
- What are your top 3 career goals?
- Example: “Transition into a leadership role in project management.”
- What industries or roles align with these goals?
- Example: “Healthcare, Technology, Non-Profit.”
2. Develop Your Career Story
- What are your key accomplishments or experiences that support your goals?
- Example: “Led a team of 10 in a successful product launch that increased revenue by 20%.”
3. Define Your Target
- List 3-5 companies or organizations that align with your values and goals.
- Example: “Company A, Organization B, Startup C.”
- What specific roles at these companies interest you?
- Example: “Project Manager, Program Director.”
4. Assess Your Career Documents
- Do your resume and LinkedIn profile reflect your goals and key accomplishments?
- Checklist:
- Tailored Resume: Yes / No
- Updated LinkedIn Profile: Yes / No
- Checklist:
- What adjustments do you need to make to better align them with your targets?
- Example: “Highlight leadership roles and impact metrics more prominently.”
5. Draft Your Job Search Plan
- What are the top 3 actions you will take this week?
- Example:
- “Network with 5 professionals in my target industry.”
- “Apply to 3 jobs at Company A.”
- “Update my LinkedIn headline and summary.”
- Example:
Clarifying your goals and creating a compelling career story sets you up for a focused and successful job search. Don’t skimp on this part. I know it’s easy to dive into the resume update and start hitting submit, but I promise that if you even take one hour to plot out your goals, career story, and job target, you will save yourself days and weeks on the back end. The job market is just too complex to dive in willy-nilly!
If you need 1:1 support, please set up a free consultation. If you are looking for journaling tools, reach out or check out the freebies page.