It has been said that job hunting is a full-time job in and of itself. This is true in more than one respect. In the best of times, job searches require a game plan, patience, determination, and ongoing effort. In times of crisis, however, it requires all of that plus one very important addition: strategy.

 

Here’s a hard truth: There is a job out there for you. You just have to find it, which requires more than a decent resume and a bit of luck. You need a clear, concise, and measurable strategy in order to locate your job and convince the employer to bring you on board. Here are a few ideas that can form the basis of your job hunt strategy. 

 

  1. Nurture a targeted network: The first step in building a job hunt strategy is to surround yourself (albeit digitally) with the right people to help you reach your goals. According to Forbes Magazine, there are four groups you want to target right away:

 

 

  • All your past colleagues, bosses, educators, employees, partners and colleagues who you’ve ever enjoyed working with or learning from.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Professionals who are moving and shaking in the field, and contributing in an inspiring way.

 

 

 

  • Thought leaders, authors and experts who are important to follow to help you keep your finger on the pulse of new developments and trends in your field.

 

 

LinkedIn is the perfect platform for this type of networking. Reach out directly to professionals who fall into any or all of the above categories.Try to reach out to and connect with at least 50 people per week. It’s important to engage with them, ask them who else you should connect with, and whether or not you can help them with something they need. 

 

  1. Build your personal brand: Personal branding isn’t just for the vain; it’s an essential step in helping to package your skillset and market it to a potential employer.  Remember, you’re not asking someone for a job; you’re selling yourself, your skills, and your potential to them. Employers hire new team members the same way they buy consumer goods. Branding matters. 

 

  • Develop a compelling LinkedIn headline that tells your story in just a few words.

 

 

 

  • Make sure your employment history isn’t just a list of tasks. It should be descriptive, full of action words, and exciting to read.
  • Identify your main value proposition (aka your “why”) and make sure that your profile hammers that point home to readers. 

 

 

 

  • Take yourself to market: Make it clear that you’re in the market for your next job. You need to let people know you’re valuable and available. Don’t wait for employers to contact you. Now is the time to be proactive. 

 

 

 

  • Don’t shy away from asking your network for suggestions, recommendations, or introductions. 

 

 

 

  • Find digital meetups, conferences, or thought leader sessions and engage with other virtual attendees. 

 

 

  • Reach out to the top 5 recruiters in your area that focus on your industry. Pick up the phone and call them, and explain who you are and what you’re looking for. 

 

Your goal is the same as the millions of other Americans who have recently been laid off. You want to get back to work, and fast. To do this, you need a strategy designed to help you stand out in the crowd. These tips can form the basis of that strategy and help to get you back to work faster.