I recently got back into running again after a very busy winter and some less than perfect weather. To track my progress, I added Voomaxer to my Facebook page to log my miles and track my progress. But there was another key reason that I added the application and put it up on my profile page for all my friends to see…accountability. I know how easy it is to make a commitment to do something and then slack off or get distracted or discouraged. Are there days I don’t feel like running? Sure. But somehow because I have added this silly little icon to my page, I feel obligated to run…I feel accountable. So what does this have to do with job search? Well, it’s just as easy to slack off or get discouraged in a job search. Or get wrapped up in unproductive methods of search, like zapping out hundreds of resumes to job boards. Unless you create some accountability for yourself and your search. Unless you reach out to trusted professionals and advisors during your search. Here are a few suggestions for adding accountability to your job search.
- If you were part of a larger downsizing, reach out to someone else from the company who was affected by the restructuring. Chose someone with a different job function or at a different professional level. Set up a time once a week to discuss strategy and progress and share relevant job leads and networking contacts.
- Join a support group for job seekers. Meetup is a good place to start because you can search groups for job seekers in your geography or professionals in your industry and become a part of some face to face meetings.
- Set up regular meetings with a close friend, partner, or spouse. This allows the important people in your life to get an update and helps alleviate some of the stress you both might be feeling due to the job search. Discuss your job search plans for the upcoming week and offer a progress report the following week. Scheduling these conversations at a specific time eliminates the chances of being nagged or micromanaged about your progress throughout the week.
- Hire a coach from a reliable coaching organization. Not only can a coach help you organize and fine tune your search, but they make excellent accountability partners. A coach can structure a plan for you and hold you accountable for a certain level of progress each week or month.
There’s no need to go it alone. By connecting with others during your search, you can decrease your stress level and potentially decrease the amount of time you spend unemployed.
