In June 2024, the average time to find a job was 19.3 weeks (or about 4.5 months). This completely realistic and lengthy job-hunting timeframe involves sending numerous applications, scheduling interviews, and following up.
Do you sometimes feel lost in the truly time-consuming process of looking for work? Unsure of where you stand with your application, turning in bed at night, wondering if you need to follow up?
Instead of this job-hunting chaos, you need a strategic approach to stay focused.
A job search plan allows you to take control of your career and land a job that fits your unique skills and goals.
This Enhancv guide plans on diving deep into the job search plan by:
- Defining your 2024 job search plan.
- Applying best practices from your job search plan at different stages of the job application process.
- Providing a step-by-step guide on setting your job search plan.
- Offering real-life examples you can adapt to create your own 30-60-90 day job search plan.
What is a job search plan?
A job search plan is a powerful, well-crafted roadmap you create to find your next role. This strategy includes steps to:
- identify opportunities that match your expertise.
- track your progress and build references for future applications.
- streamline and enhance your job search efficiency.
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What are the key elements of a job search plan?
Your job search plan should include:
- Your career goals.
- Job boards you plan to use.
- Research your target companies.
- Tailored resume and cover letter to each application.
- Networking strategy, leveraging social media.
- Follow-up communication schedule.
Document your job search plan to stay accountable and motivated. Incorporate specific timelines and SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals to guide your strategy ahead.
What makes a good job search plan?
Your current job search isn't going as planned, so it's time to take a deep breath, pause, and reflect on your recent efforts.
For starters, have you charted what success would look like for you in 30, 60, or 90 days?
One of the ultimate rules to mapping out your strategic job search plan is setting clear expectations for the future and striving to achieve them.
We'll now share some of the best job search practices for each stage of your application process.
Applying your job search plan during the application stage
Even before you start submitting your resume and cover letter, you need to develop a clear job application strategy to track your applications and stay organized throughout the interview process.
Prepare your job search by:
- defining your career goals.
- identifying roles you're interested in.
- researching potential employers.
- assessing your skills and strengths.
Also, no matter what you do, you need to allocate specific timeframes to each stage of your job search. We'll talk more about how to establish your job plan routine in the next part of this guide, but for now, you should keep in mind that:
- Limit your job applications to a maximum of 10 per day to avoid burnout and maintain quality. When deciding which jobs to apply for, ensure you meet at least 60% of the job requirements. If you lack key skills, be prepared to provide a compelling reason why you're the best candidate for the role.
- Your resume and cover letter are your first impression on potential employers, so customize them to show how your skills and experiences match the job description. Tailor these documents for each application by using keywords from the job advertisement as part of your job search plan.
PRO TIP
Many candidate resumes get rejected at the initial stage due to poor formatting (p.s. there’s a right way to format your resume), including generic content that creates an endless list of responsibilities and skills without accomplishments, or lack of personalization (submitting the same resume and cover letter for all 30 roles you’ve applied for).
Applying your job search plan to prepare for an interview
Prepare thoroughly for your interview to make a positive impression.
- Research the company and read up on recent news and industry trends. If possible, learn more about your interviewer to understand their career journey and interests.
- Use this information to craft specific questions about the company, its projects, and your interviewer.
- Practice answering interview questions, related to who you are and why you want the job.
Structure your answers by:
- Following the STAR method, where you describe a Situation, explain the Task, detail the Actions you took, and highlight the positive Results.
- Drawing parallels between your current work and the new role to demonstrate your qualifications.
- Emphasizing how your contributions have added value to your current company.
PRO TIP
In your job search plan, allocate enough time to either arrive on time for your interview (dressed appropriately in neutral colors) or to set up a suitable environment for your digital meeting.
Applying your job search plan after your interview
Use your job search plan to track your applications. For example, you’ll know when is the best time to follow up, after an interview with a thank-you email (hint: it's within 24 hours).
If you haven't received a response within two weeks (or as indicated by the recruiter), send a polite follow-up email to express continued interest.
PRO TIP
Your job search plan will provide greater visibility into what's effective and what isn't, enabling you to adjust your strategy accordingly.
How to write a good job search plan
There are eight steps you need to consider when creating your job search plan.
Setting clear, actionable, and achievable goals
Tailor your job search effectively by setting clear, tangible career goals. These can be short-term, such as securing a summer internship, or long-term, like establishing a career in a particular field.
Starting your job search with clear goals helps you stay focused and intentional.
But how do you decide on your goals?
Wanting a 'new job' shouldn't be your only goal. Instead, consider the specific details that would make up your next role:
- Role or job title: determine whether you want your next role to be permanent or temporary.
- Job functions: consider the certifications and skills you'd need to secure the job.
- Industry: you might want the same role but in a different industry.
- Type of company: think about the company culture and the ideal work environment you'd like to work for.
- Location: determine how far you're willing to commute.
- Salary expectations: set your salary expectations as a range
At the end of this step, write down your goals and the type of job you want. You’ll use this as your North Star in the next stages of setting your job search plan.
Manageable milestones
Break down your overarching career goals into smaller, actionable tasks to stay motivated.
This proactive approach should help you to create a list of tasks, each within a set deadline.
For example, tailoring your resume and cover letter for that job by COB, Monday.
Regularly review your progress with each milestone to ensure you stay on track.
Organizational tools
Structure your job search plan with the necessary tools.
We recommend creating a spreadsheet (using Excel, Google Docs, etc.) or using a CRM tool (e.g. Trello or Asana) to track your applications.
Add to your tracker:
- Jobs you're interested in: include job descriptions, requirements, and relevant keywords focusing on the hard (or technical) and soft (or people) skills you're expected to have. Link back to the original job postings and note whether the roles are remote, in-office, or hybrid. Document any discussed salary ranges.
- Companies you're interested in: conduct research on these organizations and note any relevant information you can find about the hiring managers.
- All networking contacts: prepare the email addresses and phone numbers of hiring managers and individuals you've spoken with informally.
- Your professional profile: note down your achievements and skills assessments.
- Resume and cover letter versions: keep track of the different versions you've submitted, tailored for each job application.
- Application status: track dates and set follow-up reminders.
- Interview notes: jot down your answers to common interview questions, your impressions, and post-interview reflections.
PRO TIP
Key data you need to note in your tracker are the number of applications you’ve sent, received responses, and interviews attended.
Update your job search tracker daily, either before you begin your day or to close off your work.
Research
With your tracker set up, begin researching job opportunities. Use platforms like job boards, company career sites, and social media (e.g., LinkedIn) to find relevant opportunities.
In addition, you can also research:
- trends, in-demand skills, and career options to better understand the industry landscape.
- specific companies to assess their culture, growth opportunities, mission or vision, and values.
PRO TIP
Remember, the job search is a two-way street, meaning you should also evaluate the offer presented by the company. Ensure that company factors, including culture, align with your career goals.
Self-assessment
When setting up your career goals, you can always start with some form of self-assessment. For example, you can determine:
- Your ideal role by evaluating your skills, strengths, values, and interests.
- Your ideal work environment by referring to your past experiences, such as the culture you thrive in and the responsibilities you've excelled in.
- What your career aspirations are within a set timeframe (e.g. five, 10 years).
Also, think about what you bring to the table, as a job-seeker. You should ultimately aim to align your skills and training with the job you want.
Start by assessing your hard skills (acquired through your experience, education, certifications, etc.) and soft skills (transferable personal qualities such as communication and flexibility).
Identify any gaps between your ideal workplace and your skill set. Find opportunities to train or enhance your skills.
Writing your resume
In the previous part of this guide, we discussed why aligning your resume to the role you're applying for is so important.
Now, let's dive into more details about your resume.
Your resume should:
- Be between one to two pages (only if you have over a decade of relevant experience) long.
- Use reverse chronological order to highlight the most recent and relevant experience.
- Include a header with your contact details.
- Feature a resume summary or objective statement to emphasize your greatest achievements, goals, and values in up to five sentences.
- Demonstrate your tangible workplace achievements by using numbers and statistics.
- Incorporate keywords (both hard and soft skills) from the job description.
- List your education, certifications, and other relevant information that hint at your unique value as a candidate.
And, because we want to further assist you in your future applications, we’ve prepared two bonus tips for some common situations candidates may experience when writing their resumes.
PRO TIP
If you have a work hiatus, explain it in your cover letter. On your resume, list what you did during your break under experience, including dates and achievements from your sabbatical or freelance work.
PRO TIP
Rejection for being overqualified usually stems from two concerns: your expected salary may exceed the company's budget, or hiring managers fear you might leave quickly due to the junior nature of the role.
Instead of listing your full experience on your resume, focus on the most recent years of your career that match the job's requirements.
Enter a routine
A structured schedule would allow you to optimize your day to make the most out of it.
To establish your routine, refer to the manageable organizational goals mentioned earlier. Split them up into a 30-60-90 day plan and use it to create a daily or weekly schedule with specific task allocations.
PRO TIP
If you're currently employed and have limited time for job searching, allocate specific daily times for applications.
You can stay organized through your job search by scheduling tasks as events on your digital calendar. This tool will keep you on track with automatic reminders.
Also, within your daily schedule, avoid multitasking; instead, focus on one activity at a time.
Activities for your job search plan
Here is an example of some of the tasks you need to add to your job search plan:
- Update your LinkedIn profile with recent roles and skills.
- Write a main document listing all your experience, skills, and achievements.
- Create a list of target companies and network with them via social media.
- Find job listings.
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to the job.
- Submit applications.
- Research common topics for networking conversations.
- Make cold calls or send messages via LinkedIn.
- Contact connections in your existing network.
- Reach out for informational interviews or informal chats.
- Schedule interviews.
- Practice for interviews.
- Follow up on applications and interviews.
- Update your tracker.
- Make a list of tasks you’d need to complete by the end of the day or week.
- Reflect on your experience.
Networking
Networking is crucial for creating job opportunities as part of your job search plan. The possibilities for networking are endless, so think outside the box. Apart from internal recruiters, you can reach out to former colleagues or friends, working at your dream company, and external recruiters.
If you're unsure where to start networking, here are our top recommendations:
- virtual and in-person industry events (e.g. job fairs).
- professional associations.
- online social groups and forums related to your field.
- social media platforms.
When networking, personalize your cold emails or outreach messages to engage in more meaningful conversations. Focus on providing value from the get-go rather than solely seeking information.
Effective networking can lead to informational interviews, where you can establish credibility and showcase your qualifications.
Good job search plan examples
And now for the part you’ve been waiting for - we’ll provide you with job search plan examples from three professionals.
Senior software engineer job search plan
The plan below focuses on proactive networking, targeted applications and detailed interview preparation so that the senior software engineer can make an informed decision.
30-day job search plan
Week 1-2: Preparation
- Day 1-2: Define career goals and refine job role preferences (Senior Software Engineer specializing in backend development).
- Day 3-4: Conduct a comprehensive self-assessment of skills and strengths, focusing on both technical expertise (programming languages, frameworks) and soft skills (leadership, communication).
- Day 5-7: Research potential employers and create a list of target companies aligned with career goals and values (Tech Giant Inc., Startup Innovators).
Week 3-4: Application Phase
- Day 8-10: Update LinkedIn profile with recent accomplishments, projects, and skills relevant to targeted job roles.
- Day 11-13: Tailor resume and cover letter for specific job applications, ensuring alignment with job descriptions and emphasizing relevant achievements.
- Day 14-17: Apply to job listings on targeted platforms such as LinkedIn, job boards, and company career sites.
- Day 18-20: Initiate outreach for informational interviews with industry contacts and recruiters.
Week 5-6: Networking and Follow-up
- Day 21-23: Attend virtual and in-person industry events, networking with professionals and gathering insights into industry trends.
- Day 24-26: Engage actively in professional associations and online forums related to software engineering, contributing to discussions and building connections.
- Day 27-28: Connect with industry peers and potential employers on social media platforms like LinkedIn, sharing relevant content and engaging in meaningful conversations.
- Day 29-30: Send personalized follow-up messages to recruiters and networking contacts, expressing continued interest and providing updates on job search progress.
60-day job search plan
Week 7-8: Interview Preparation
- Day 31-34: Conduct thorough research on companies of interest, including their mission, culture, recent projects, and market position.
- Day 35-37: Practice answering common interview questions using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method, highlighting achievements and problem-solving skills.
- Day 38-40: Prepare thoughtful questions to ask during interviews, demonstrating interest in company goals, team dynamics, and career development opportunities.
Week 9-10: Interview Execution and Follow-up
- Day 41-44: Schedule and participate in interviews, showcasing technical proficiency, alignment with company values, and potential contributions to team success.
- Day 45-47: Send personalized thank-you notes or emails to interviewers within 24 hours of each interview, reiterating interest and appreciation for the opportunity.
- Day 48-50: Follow up on interview outcomes, seeking feedback and clarifying next steps with recruiters and hiring managers.
- Day 51-60: Continue networking efforts, expanding professional connections, and exploring new job opportunities as they arise.
90-day job search plan
Week 11-12: Refinement and Strategy Adjustment
- Day 61-62: Review and update my job search tracker, documenting applications, responses, and interview progress.
- Day 63-65: Evaluate job search strategies and adjust tactics based on feedback received from interviews and networking interactions.
- Day 66-68: Consider additional training or certifications to enhance skills relevant to targeted job roles or industry demands.
- Day 69-70: Attend relevant workshops, webinars, or courses to stay updated on emerging technologies and industry trends.
Week 13: Final Steps and Decision Making
- Day 71-74: Finalize any pending interviews or follow-up actions, ensuring all communications are professional and timely.
- Day 75-77: Reflect on job offers received, comparing benefits, career growth opportunities, and alignment with personal and professional goals.
- Day 78-80: Make an informed decision on job offers, considering all factors discussed during the interview process and negotiations.
- Day 81-90: Complete final paperwork, sign contracts, and prepare for a smooth transition into the new role, including notifying current employer and colleagues, if applicable.
Digital marketing intern job search plan
The strategic plan below focuses on both daily and weekly tasks so that the intern is better able to keep track of his progress.
30-day job search plan
Daily Tasks:
- Day 1-5: Career goals and research
- Define career goals in digital marketing.
- Research internship opportunities on job boards and company websites.
- Identify 2-3 companies of interest and research their digital marketing strategies.
- Day 6-10: Resume and LinkedIn profile
- Update resume with relevant coursework, projects, and skills.
- Optimize my LinkedIn profile with a professional headline and summary.
- Day 11-15: Networking
- Connect with classmates, professors, and industry professionals on LinkedIn.
- Join digital marketing groups and forums online.
- Day 16-20: Application strategy
- Apply to 1-2 internship positions per day.
- Tailor resume and cover letter for each application.
- Day 21-25: Skill enhancement
- Identify one digital marketing skill to improve (e.g., SEO, social media marketing).
- Enroll in online courses or tutorials.
Weekly Tasks:
- Week 1: Research and networking
- Research 5-10 companies in the digital marketing sector.
- Attend at least one virtual networking event or webinar.
- Week 2: Application and follow-up
- Submit applications to 5 internship positions.
- Follow up on previously submitted applications.
- Week 3: Skill development and professional growth
- Dedicate time to improving chosen digital marketing skills.
- Update LinkedIn profile with new skills and experiences.
- Week 4: Preparation and review
- Prepare for potential interviews by researching companies and industry trends.
- Review and adjust resume and cover letter based on feedback.
60-day job search plan
Daily Tasks:
- Day 31-35: Job application progress
- Apply to 1-2 new internship positions per day.
- Track application submissions and responses.
- Day 36-40: Networking and informational interviews
- Schedule informational interviews with industry professionals.
- Connect with new contacts on LinkedIn.
- Day 41-45: Skill development
- Continue improving digital marketing skills through practical projects or coursework.
- Update resume and LinkedIn profile with progress.
- Day 46-50: Research and engagement
- Research companies I applied to for potential interviews.
- Engage with companies on social media.
Weekly Tasks:
- Week 5: Application follow-up and networking
- Follow up on previous applications and networking connections.
- Attend industry events or webinars.
- Week 6: Skill enhancement and preparation
- Focus on refining digital marketing skills.
- Practice interview questions and scenarios.
- Week 7: Company research and personal branding
- Deepen understanding of target companies' marketing strategies.
- Enhance personal brand on LinkedIn and other platforms.
- Week 8: Interview preparation and feedback
- Prepare for upcoming interviews with mock interviews.
- Seek feedback on resume and interview performance.
90-day job search plan
Daily Tasks:
- Day 61-65: Interview preparation
- Review company research and prepare specific questions.
- Practice the STAR method for behavioral interview questions.
- Day 66-70: Job offer evaluation
- Evaluate internship offers based on career goals and company fit.
- Negotiate terms if applicable and make decisions.
- Day 71-75: Continued learning and networking
- Stay engaged in digital marketing communities.
- Attend workshops or online events.
- Day 76-80: Career reflection and planning
- Reflect on internship experience and achievements.
- Update resume with internship details and outcomes.
Weekly Tasks:
- Week 9: Final preparation and networking
- Finalize interview preparation and logistics.
- Network with industry professionals for future opportunities.
- Week 10: Decision-making and goal setting
- Make final decisions on internship offers.
- Set short-term goals for continued career development.
- Week 11: Professional growth and follow-up
- Continue learning through courses or certifications.
- Follow up with connections made during an internship.
- Week 12: Review and adjustment
- Review overall job search plan and outcomes.
- Adjust strategies for future career milestones.
Sales job search plan
This candidate is currently working in sales and has only a limited timeframe to search for his new role. Here’s his 30-day approach:
30-day job search plan
- Day 1: Define specific career goals within the sales industry. Research job boards, company websites, and LinkedIn for sales positions.
- Day 2: Compile a list of 5-10 target companies that align with my career goals.
- Day 3: Update my resume with quantifiable achievements and sales metrics.
- Day 4: Optimize my LinkedIn profile to showcase sales achievements and skills.
- Day 5: Write personalized outreach messages to industry contacts on LinkedIn.
- Day 6: Attend a virtual networking event or webinar focused on sales.
- Day 7: Apply to 1-2 sales positions per day from my target company list.
- Day 8: Identify one sales skill to improve (e.g., negotiation, relationship-building).
- Day 9: Research common sales interview questions and practice responses.
- Day 10: Update my resume and LinkedIn profile with new skills and certifications.
- Day 11: Follow up on previous job applications to inquire about my status.
- Day 12: Follow up with LinkedIn connections and networking contacts.
- Day 13: Research companies I've applied to for potential interview opportunities.
- Day 14: Prepare for upcoming interviews by rehearsing STAR method responses.
- Day 15: Send personalized thank-you emails within 24 hours after each interview.
- Day 16: Review my job search tracker and assess progress over the past two weeks.
- Day 17: Continue networking activities by reaching out to new and existing contacts.
- Day 18: Apply to new sales positions aligned with career goals.
- Day 19: Practice sales techniques or scenarios.
- Day 20: Develop a strategic networking plan to expand professional connections.
- Day 21: Review my job search tracker to ensure all applications are up-to-date.
- Day 22: Research additional companies of interest within my target industry.
- Day 23: Reach out to new LinkedIn connections or industry professionals.
- Day 24: Track the progress of my job applications and follow up as needed.
- Day 25: Prepare for upcoming interviews by reviewing company research and job requirements.
- Day 26: Develop a strategy for answering common sales interview questions.
- Day 27: Send personalized thank-you emails after each interview to express appreciation.
- Day 28: Maintain regular contact with networking connections and industry contacts.
- Day 29: Review my job search tracker and update application statuses.
- Day 30: Reflect on my job search journey and achievements
Key takeaways
Now, remember that a clear and concise job search plan, a set time frame, and motivation are your initial incentives to land your next dream job.
When creating your job search plan, remember to:
- Set clear and achievable goals by defining your career objectives, including desired roles, industries, and company types.
- Customize your resume and cover letter for each job application to highlight relevant skills and accomplishments, and use keywords from job descriptions.
- Use tools like spreadsheets or CRM systems to track your job applications, research target companies, manage networking contacts, and stay on top of follow-ups.
- Build your professional network at industry events, professional associations, and social media platforms. Personalize your outreach and provide value to establish more meaningful professional relationships.
Make one that's truly you.
