Are You Putting in the Work to Get a Job?

Every job you have had, and will ever have, has some measure of success. The number many widgets you've made. How many widgets you've sold. How many widget customers you've contacted. Whatever the measure is, you are held accountable to that measure. Are you doing the same in your job search? How are you measuring your progress?

As a recruiter, I was held to a variety of metrics to ensure people of quality were being hired effectively and efficiently. The metrics went from the micro (calls/emails per day, phone screens per week, interviews per week, etc.) to the macro (hires per month, time to fill, turnover rate, etc.). These metrics helped shine a light on the process. Is the process getting better or worse and why?

Now, let's flip and reverse it. Some say looking for a job is a full-time job in itself. As a candidate, what are your metrics? How are you holding yourself accountable to get to a job offer? Are you truly putting in the work and time to land the job you deserve?

There are a couple of numbers you should keep track of to ensure you succeed in your job search.

Number of Applications

You should set a number of applications you are submitting per week. I wish I could tell you "X" is the magic number but it really depends on your industry, location and level within your career. Setting this number will not only keep you on track throughout your job search, it will also force you to be creative to reach that weekly number. Your go to job search website have a limited amount of postings. Check other websites and other sources for potential openings.

Contact Your Network

Set a weekly number of messages or calls you should be making to your current network. This number could be as simple as one a day. This will help you reconnect with contacts you have made over the years. This will also provide you with insight and referrals to jobs that may not have been in your immediate view.

Check out 5 Tips to Improve Your Networking Results for advice on how to make the most of these calls.

Outbound Outreach

Make new contacts. Set a weekly number of messages or calls to people you currently do not have in your network. This task can be difficult for those that do not think they are sales-oriented, but that makes this activity that much more valuable. It gives you exposure and practice with that uncomfortable setting. These potential contacts could be the hiring managers at your dream job. They could be potential mentors in your career path. These contacts can help connect you with recruiters, hiring managers, and potential opportunities to enhance your career.

After setting these numbers, and meeting them, how do they correlate with your success? Success within your job search can be defined as number of phone screens, interviews and offer letters you have landed. Every step forward is a step to celebrate. If you are not receiving the results you want or need, revisit the process. Do you need to increase the number of applications, the number of outbound messages or calls? Or is it your current tools? Do you needs to improve your messages? Do you need to improve your resume? You won't know until you keep track of your activity and your results. Put in the work. Apply and network, measure, improve, and repeat.

Have you put in the work? What are the numbers that have worked for you? Are there any additional questions you have about your job search, interviewing or resumes? Please comment below or on our Facebook page. You may see your question featured on one of our posts!

Also check out our Instagram for additional advice, motivational posts, and more!

This post was sponsored by Stallion Consulting Group, LLC.

Stallion Consulting Group provides one-on-one career coaching and partners with companies to improve their recruiting processes.