6 Steps to Stop Procrastination When Job Hunting

Stop procrastinating and get back to your job search with these six tips.

You’ve spent the last few months lounging around the house enjoying work-free days. Or maybe you just quit your job and are preparing to transition into something new. Whatever your reasons are for not being employed at the moment, sooner or later you’ll need to find a job.

The problem is, once you’ve enjoyed time off, it gets a little bit harder to start looking for a job. Eventually you start putting off your search further and further until it’s absolutely necessary to take action.

Looking for tips to reduce your time amongst the unemployed? Here are six steps to help you stop procrastinating when looking for a new job.

1. Make your bed

What does your bed have to do with looking for a job? On the surface, nothing. However, making your bed plays a vital role in your mindset for the day. Think about it: a warm, rumpled bed looks so inviting; you may just lie back down. And if you do, it will be easy for you to say “five more minutes” again and again until it becomes “I’ll do it tomorrow.” Avoid the entire procrastination ordeal altogether by simply making your bed when you get out of it. You’ll be more likely to stay up and start being productive, as you’ve already completed your first task of the day.

2. Treat the day like you would a normal work day

You’ve made your bed, now what’s next? Getting out of your pajamas and carrying out your morning routine like you would on a normal workday. Why? Because treating each day like a work day will get you one step closer to your first day at a new career. It doesn’t matter if you don’t even plan on leaving the house, getting dressed and properly groomed shows that you are ready to work.

Having trouble finding the motivation to get back to productivity? Try creating a workplace feeling at home. Even if you’re just going online to look for job opportunities, do it at a desk. Not in your bed. Not on your couch. Do it at a work desk or if you don’t have one at home, your dining room table. If being at home is too much of a distraction, set up some place where you’ll have the best chance of success, such as a library or a café.

3. Create your plan of attack

One of the main reasons people tend to procrastinate finding a new position is because they’re unsure of what kind of job they want, or which companies they’d like to work for. Creating an outline of your job search strategy before you begin will help get things on the right track.

Thoroughly plan out how you will go about your job search, outlining your career objectives and the necessary steps it will take to achieve your career goals. Be definite of what type of work you want to do. Once you have that, determine which companies you know offer what you’re looking for and then narrow that list down to companies you want to work for.

4. Calendar your plan and stick to your schedule

You’ve targeted the companies you want to apply to and listed all the tasks related to your job search. The next step is to ensure that things get moving as quickly as possible. Make a detailed calendar of your job search strategy with dates and times for all of your relevant tasks. For example, on Monday between 9:00am and 12:00pm, you will update your resume. You could take a one hour lunch break and then apply to your target companies between 1:00pm until 5:00pm.

Once your schedule is in place, stick to it. Try your hardest to minimize distractions. Remember, your job for the day and every day that you’re still unemployed is to look for a new job.

5. Be prepared with the necessary tools

As with a regular work day, you have to be armed with the right tools for your job search if you want to be successful. Is today resume updating and job research day? Then make sure that your laptop and internet connection are working properly. Is today interview day? Then make sure that you are dressed appropriately and you have physical copies of your resume and other important documents ready.

Having all the tools you need for your job hunt on hand will ensure that you do not lose your momentum and helps minimize distractions.

6. Mark the tasks you have already done

Remember that calendar you made of your tasks? The one you’re dutifully sticking to? Highlight or check off the tasks that you’ve already completed. Nothing motivates a person more than seeing that you’ve actually made headway on your career goals.

So get up and get moving. New opportunities are waiting for you!