However, during times of higher unemployment, or if you are interested in a very particular type of work that is in lower demand or has higher educational and experience requirements, your job search can take weeks or even months. If you are engaged in the second type of job search described above, you may make hundreds of contacts and generate dozens of leads for part- time and full-time work. You need to maintain a system to track the status of your job leads, whom you’ve contacted and next steps. There are many ways you can organize your job search information, from a spreadsheet on your computer or in the cloud, on a phone app, or in a good old-fashioned alphabetized three-ring binder or notebook. Choose the system that makes the most sense to you. Keep records of when you make contacts, whom you called or emailed and their contact info. Just because a company turned you down for one position doesn’t mean it won’t become a prospect in the future – and your previous contacts could be helpful. The networking and informational calls you make to potential employers will create the need to send out resumes. The resumes you send out will require follow-up calls. If you don’t keep good records, it would be very easy to inadvertently let important opportunities fall through the cracks. RESEARCHING EMPLOYERS Now that you have a plan for organizing your job search you can begin research to find openings and employers that interest you. Through this process, you will gain a better understanding of job availability, company culture, and potential growth opportunities within an organization.
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