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3 Important Tips for Job Searching on the Weekend

Make the most of this time...

by Janna Kefalas in Job Search

Ahhhh, the weekend. After a long week of slogging away at a less-than-stellar job, you finally get two glorious days to relax! I mean, weekends are all about spending time with friends and family, running errands, and catching up on all your favorite shows, right?

Well, the unfortunate truth is that if you’re looking for a job while working full-time, the weekend is a crucial opportunity to delve into that job search.

But I get it, it feels unfair. Everyone around you is taking a load off and enjoying themselves.  And you’re there…working.

So how the heck do you stay focused and do a weekend job search without feeling distracted, aimless and, well…bitter? Here are a few tips:

Weekend Job Search Tip #1 – Remember this Situation is Temporary

A job search can seem endless. It can feel like a second job — because, well, right now it is. When you’re not working, you’re working on your job search. And while you are working, you’re thinking about your job search. This can be crazy-making!

But take heart…if you’re job searching the right way, this feeling of double duty won’t last long. You’ll nab that great job, and your weekends will be yours again. (Cue the fruity cocktails!) But for now, you need to remind yourself this is only temporary — so roll up your sleeves, and make this thing happen!

Weekend Job Search Tip #2 – Find the Best Environment to Get Work Done

When everyone around you is in weekend mode, it can be hard to separate yourself from all the merry-making. Your friends and family might also (unintentionally) sabotage your efforts by trying to convince you join the fun.

So, you may need to physically remove yourself by grabbing your laptop and heading to a quiet cafe or library. This might mean handing off childcare duties or chores to another family member for a few hours in order to get some work accomplished. It might not be easy or ideal, but once again, if you’re dedicated to your job search, this is only temporary.

At this point you might be asking, if I’m not currently working, do I still have to dedicate my weekend to my job search? Don’t I get weekends off?  

Well, that depends on how much you’re getting done during the week, of course. Weekends can be a great time to do volunteer work in your community and attend events that have networking potential.

The key is finding time when you work at your best. Is it early in the morning or late at night? Do you need total silence or some background noise. Can you work for several hours at a stretch or need to take several breaks to stay motivated?  It’s all about finding that efficiency sweet spot.

Weekend Job Search Tip #3 – Don’t Waste Your Time on Meaningless Job Search Activities

You’ve got two short days to make the most of your job search. But it’s easy to spend too much time on comfortable tasks that feel productive while avoiding all the hard stuff that can actually move the needle.

Be honest, are you guilty of any of these?

> Firing off the same resume and cover letter — or worse, NO cover letter — to hundreds of job postings each week, because it feels so quick and efficient.

> Constantly playing around with the font style, font size, text color, and formatting on your resume, because if you could just get that right, you KNOW the interviews would start pouring in.

> Asking your close friends and family to tell you if they “hear of anything” and then getting frustrated when they come up short.

If any of these sound like you, it’s time to rethink your job search strategy.  Here are some ways to make greater strides in your search:

— Instead of just applying for jobs online willy nilly, spend the bulk of your time on LinkedIn: optimizing your profile, expanding your network, and researching companies in order to come up with a short list that you feel most excited about.

— If you do apply for a job online, try to apply within the first 3 days it’s posted and make sure you meet at least 80% of the requirements, otherwise you might be throwing your application into a black hole.  Tailoring your resume and cover letter to the job description is key.

Conclusion

So…while it may feel like a major bummer to spend your weekend job searching, you’ll thank yourself down that line when you get that fantastic offer.

And I’m by no means trying to imply that you shouldn’t take any time for yourself. We all need a little downtime to relieve stress and self reflect. So work that into your weekend or a weeknight as well.  It’s all a balancing act!