Job Search Preparation Strategies

I'm sharing my exact job search time breakdown because 90% of data professionals waste 80% of their time on the wrong activities. After placing 50+ people in the last 3 years and doing 300+ mock interviews, here's what actually works: Time breakdown for job searching: 𝟱𝟬% - 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀: Focus on building projects, practicing coding questions, and enhancing your technical expertise This continuous improvement not only makes you more marketable but also boosts your confidence 𝟮𝟱% - 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴: Engage in creating content, commenting on posts, and building meaningful relationships within your industry Networking opens doors to opportunities that might not be advertised and helps you gain valuable insights 𝟮𝟱% - 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Dedicate time to practicing coding questions, participating in mock interviews, and preparing for behavioral questions This preparation ensures you are ready to impress when you land those interviews 𝗜𝗳 𝗬𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 (𝗚𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝘀): 1. Decrease Improving Skills: Spend less time on skill enhancement since you're already landing interviews 2. Increase Networking and Interview Prep: Focus more on networking and refining your interview skills to convert those interviews into offers 𝗜𝗳 𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 (𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗚𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝘀): 1. Increase Improving Skills: Dedicate more time to developing your skills to meet the job requirements 2. Decrease Interview Prep: Spend less time on interview preparation until you start getting interview calls Why This Works: Balancing your time effectively based on where you stand in your job search journey ensures you are optimizing your efforts. Improving skills keeps you competitive, networking expands your opportunities, and interview preparation makes sure you're ready to seize the moment when it comes. Your job search is a dynamic process. Continuously evaluate and adjust your strategy based on the feedback you receive and the results you're seeing. 𝗣𝗦: This breakdown helped my last 5 clients land offers in under 120 days. If you're a data professional with 1+ years of experience stuck in endless applications, DM me "INFO" and I'll show you how to build a custom system that will work for you forever.

Dear Job Seeker, So, the holidays are over. You've put the holiday decorations away. You are getting back to the gym to address those five extra pounds that *mysteriously* you saw on the scale. January is the time to revitalize your job search. I know many of you slacked off in December. You may have wanted to keep at it at full speed, but let's be real. Other fun things took priority. So now you need to get back to work. For others, you have decided now is the time to make a move. You have had some time off, and that break helped you realize you are unhappy at work. You want something more. You want something different. So what should you do? 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐬. I am not here to tell you there are any magical shortcuts. I have been in the recruiting business for most of my career. And I haven't found any workarounds. Here is what I advise. 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭, 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲. 🔍Reflect: Review your skills, accomplishments, and career aspirations from the past year. What valuable lessons did you learn? What notable milestones did you achieve? 🎯 Set Clear Goals: Define your career goals for the year ahead. Clarity is your compass, whether it's a new position, a promotion, or a career shift. 💡 Skill Enhancement: Identify areas for skill refinement and invest time honing your expertise. Online courses, workshops, and certifications can give you a leg up over your competition. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬. 📝 Update Your Resume: Give your resume a thoughtful refresh (or even rewrite it if more than three years old). Highlight your achievements and tailor them to the specific roles you're eyeing. 🌐 Leverage Your Network: Reach out to your professional contacts for guidance, recommendations, and potential opportunities. Networking remains a powerful asset! 📅 Create a Job Search Schedule: Treat your job search with the same dedication as a work commitment. Allocate specific times each day/week to search, apply, and follow up. 🔗 Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile: Ensure your LinkedIn profile reflects your latest accomplishments and professional aspirations. Make it keyword-rich for enhanced visibility. 👥 Engage in Industry Conversations: Join relevant LinkedIn or Facebook groups, participate in meaningful discussions, and showcase your wealth of experience. Visibility often leads to unexpected opportunities. I wish I could tell you to skip these steps. But in my experience, doing all these steps is what successful job seekers do. Let's inspire each other to make 2024 a year of professional triumphs! -------- Hi, I am Shelley, a former recruiter and now a career coach. I support job seekers who need help knowing what they want to do next or the best way or tools to get what they want. ♻️Repost this if it will help someone in your network.♻️

If your job search feels scattered or overwhelming, it might not be your effort—it might be your system. A successful job search isn’t just about applying to everything. It’s about being strategic and consistent. Here’s how I help my clients create a plan that keeps them organized and less overwhelmed: ✅ Clarify your direction What kind of roles, industries, or environments are you targeting? ➡️ Define your focus so you’re not trying to be everything to everyone. ✅ Update your materials Make sure your resume, LinkedIn, and elevator pitch reflect where you’re headed—not just where you’ve been. ✅ Track your outreach Use a spreadsheet, Google Sheet, or a tool like TealHQ to stay on top of applications, networking, and follow-ups. ✅ Network strategically Reach out to people working at your target companies. ➡️ Most jobs are filled through connections—not job boards. ✅ Create a weekly schedule Treat your job search like a job. Block time on your calendar like you would for meetings or project work ✅ Set micro-goals Aim for: 🔹 5 new connections/week 🔹 2 tailored applications 🔹 1 interview prep or reflection session ✨A plan brings structure and confidence to a process that can often feel uncertain. 💬 What’s one job search habit that’s helped you stay on track—or one you're trying to build? 📩 And if I can support you in creating your job search plan, feel free to reach out—I’m here to help. #JobSearchStrategy #CareerClarity #CareerCoach #LinkedInTips