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Job Search Checklist

4.7/5 with 161 votes
Table of Contents

Introduction

Our Job Search Checklist equips you with all the critical tasks needed to secure your next position. From crafting a standout resume to networking effectively, this template is designed to keep you organized and on track. Utilize our Checklist App to save your progress, customize tasks, and sync across devices for seamless access. Plus, collaborate with friends or mentors to enhance your job search strategy. Start today by clicking Save and taking the first step toward your career goals.
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Toggle Preparation Phase status

Preparation Phase

Toggle Create your resume status

Create your resume

Prepare several versions (a different one for each position you are applying for).
Toggle Create Electronic Versions of Resume status

Create Electronic Versions of Resume

Use plain text, standard fonts for all resumes to be imbedded in e-mails or attachments.
Toggle Test your resume status

Test your resume

Show it to several people and get their suggestions.
Toggle Define your limits status

Define your limits

Geographic preferences, salary, job type.
Toggle List everyone you know status

List everyone you know

Categorize and prioritize your list (Your Network).
Toggle List companies who might hire you. status

List companies who might hire you.

Categorize and prioritize your list (Your Target Companies)
Toggle Create a Record Keeping System status

Create a Record Keeping System

Calls/messages sent, companies/people contacted, responses received, resumes sent, information received, meeting and phone call notes, interviews, thank you notes sent.
Toggle Create a Weekly Schedule & List of Tasks status

Create a Weekly Schedule & List of Tasks

Set aside particular hours each day for job searching.
Toggle Create Self-Marketing Materials. status

Create Self-Marketing Materials.

Brochure? List of projects? Paper versions? Electronic versions?
Toggle Create Business or Networking Cards status

Create Business or Networking Cards

Hand them out at meetings, interviews, etc.
Toggle Create a Personal Marketing Campaign status

Create a Personal Marketing Campaign

Job search plan of what you will do when, how many people you will contact, etc.
Toggle Develop a Needs-Contribution Statement status

Develop a Needs-Contribution Statement

List of industry requirements compared to your list of capabilities.
Toggle Contact people who may be references status

Contact people who may be references

Both professional and personal; use them as "advisors" for your job search.
Toggle Create your "30-Second Elevator" Speech status

Create your "30-Second Elevator" Speech

Name, qualifications, capabilities, history, skills.
Toggle Practice your "Reasons for Leaving" Speech status

Practice your "Reasons for Leaving" Speech

If you are going to need to leave your current job to pursue you new job, prepare a professional statement explaining why.
Toggle Write several sample Cover Letters status

Write several sample Cover Letters

Different versions for different jobs, on both paper and electronic.
Toggle Prepare short versions of Your Biography status

Prepare short versions of Your Biography

For inclusion in e-mails, job search internet sites, etc.
Toggle Check the Resource Center, Library, Bookstores, etc status

Check the Resource Center, Library, Bookstores, etc

For job search and how-to resources, book, and articles.
Toggle Gather office materials status

Gather office materials

Resume paper, stamps, envelopes, paperclips, a professional pen (that does not click).
Toggle Start an Appointment Calendar status

Start an Appointment Calendar

Paper or electronic (whichever will keep you better organized).
Toggle Set up a Workspace status

Set up a Workspace

To keep your records and materials orderly, space for computer, printer, etc.
Toggle Set up E-mail status

Set up E-mail

Make sure it is a professional sounding e-mail account (school e-mail addresses are fine), create your e-signature.
Toggle Set up phone Answering Service status

Set up phone Answering Service

Create a professional outgoing message.
Toggle Create a Personal Job Search Website status

Create a Personal Job Search Website

Include your resume, projects (remember anyone may be able to see it).
Toggle Active Job Search Phase status

Active Job Search Phase

Toggle Contact everyone you know status

Contact everyone you know

Use this list you created in the Startup Phase (talk to anyone new you meet).
Toggle Contact people that know of openings status

Contact people that know of openings

Ask them for additional opportunities & possibilities, names, companies, etc.
Toggle Contact people to ask for an interview status

Contact people to ask for an interview

Ask them for advice about your job search, not for a job.
Toggle Attend Professional Society Events status

Attend Professional Society Events

Tell everyone you meet about your job search, pass out business cards, collect names.
Toggle Attend Social & Community Events status

Attend Social & Community Events

Tell everyone you meet about your job search, pass out business cards, collect names.
Toggle Join a career orientated support group. status

Join a career orientated support group.

Toggle Expand your Internet search status

Expand your Internet search

Respond immediately to any openings, in your field, that you see.
Toggle Subscribe to mailing lists and ENewsletters status

Subscribe to mailing lists and ENewsletters

May list jobs, networking information, events.
Toggle Revise Resume and other materials status

Revise Resume and other materials

Keep all your information updated as changes happen with you and the job market.
Toggle Register with Job Search Agencies status

Register with Job Search Agencies

Employment agencies, placement agencies, temp agencies, etc.
Toggle Answer the Phone in a Professional Agency status

Answer the Phone in a Professional Agency

Minimize background noise, be ready to take notes.
Toggle List Questions to Ask an Interviewer status

List Questions to Ask an Interviewer

The interviewer may call, so be prepared with questions and answers.
Toggle Practice Interview Questions & Answers status

Practice Interview Questions & Answers

The interviewer may call, so be prepared with questions and answers.
Toggle Do something professional every week status

Do something professional every week

Do volunteer work, or attend courses, workshops, events, trainings, or presentations.
Toggle Create an Interview Agenda status

Create an Interview Agenda

List items you want to cover in the interview and take it with you to the interview.
Toggle Weekly Tasks to React to Immediately status

Weekly Tasks to React to Immediately

Toggle E-mails, letters, and thank you notes. status

E-mails, letters, and thank you notes.

Toggle Phone calls. status

Phone calls.

Toggle Meetings. status

Meetings.

Toggle Other networking activities. status

Other networking activities.

Toggle Check printed want ads. status

Check printed want ads.

Toggle Updated resume and other documents. status

Updated resume and other documents.

Toggle Update and review Job Search Plan. status

Update and review Job Search Plan.

Toggle Update List of Tasks to be completed. status

Update List of Tasks to be completed.

Toggle Updated Weekly Calendar. status

Updated Weekly Calendar.

Toggle Daily Tasks to React to Immediately status

Daily Tasks to React to Immediately

Toggle Respond to any opportunities. status

Respond to any opportunities.

Toggle Check E-mail several times a day. status

Check E-mail several times a day.

Toggle Check Internet Job Search sites and Newsletters. status

Check Internet Job Search sites and Newsletters.

Toggle Check Job Posting on Target Company Websites. status

Check Job Posting on Target Company Websites.

Toggle Contact more companies and people. status

Contact more companies and people.

Toggle Check your messages in case you missed a call. status

Check your messages in case you missed a call.

Toggle Maintain your personal appearance. status

Maintain your personal appearance.

Toggle Do something fun and personal (to remain sane). status

Do something fun and personal (to remain sane).

Download or Print this Job Search Checklist

Get a printable version of this checklist in your preferred format: PDF, Word, Excel, or print directly from your browser.

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Presented by:

Alex Strickland

Alex Strickland
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Stats

Views

164

Uses

36

Tasks

60

Tags

PersonalCareerEmployment

Who it's for

This Job Search Checklist is for anyone who wants a simple, practical way to get things done without missing steps.

  • Avoid forgetting - keep all your Job Search essentials in one place (external memory)
  • Save time - start from a proven Job Search structure instead of a blank page
  • Stay on track - track progress, come back later, and keep momentum
  • Coordinate with others - share the list and divide responsibilities
  • Learn the process - follow the steps in a sensible order, even if it's your first time

How to use it

How to use this Job Search Checklist

  • Save Job Search Checklist to your free Checklist account so your progress is saved and synced across devices.
  • Customize it in the app: remove anything that does not apply, then add your own details for Job Search (dates, sizes, addresses, notes).
  • If others are involved, invite them to collaborate and divide responsibilities.
  • Work through the list: check items off as you go, and set reminders for time-sensitive steps.

Rate this Checklist

5 stars
Scores 4.70 with 161 votes

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