š Over the last few years, I've had the privilege of mentoring and career coaching over 2,000 UXers - both aspiring and experienced - helping them navigate the crazy competitive waters of the UX world.
Their journeys - filled with both challenges and triumphs - have inspired countless insightful discussions and led to many breakthrough moments. For both sides!
Which gave me the idea that some of the questions & answers could benefit a broader community.
And this why, today, I'm excited to launch a new series titled āHow Do I...?ā where I will share answers to the most frequent or pressing questions asked by my UX & product design students.
So whether you're just starting out in the field and searching for your very first job, orif you are a UX āveteranā looking to refine team-building or leadership skills, this series will provide you with my practical, real-world advice on how to navigate your career path in UX & product design with more confidence and at a faster pace ;)
If you have questions you need answers to, please send them over to uxmentordiaries@gmail.com , and Iāll be answering them in our newsletter every week.
Let's transform those challenges into the real opportunities for growth together š
Job hunting can be exceptionally draining - especially after a layoff.
So, here are š practical steps I recommend to my mentees ā
Step 1: Establish a Routine
Start by setting a daily routine.
Treat your job search just like a job, with a start and end time to your day. This helps to create a sense of normalcy and control.
Schedule specific times for different activities such as researching companies, applying for jobs, networking, and skills development. I
Importantly, make sure to include regular breaks and a definitive cut-off time to step away from job-related tasks.
Step 2: Set Achievable Goals
Break down your job search into manageable, achievable goals.
Instead of setting a goal to "get a job," which is broad and can feel overwhelming, set smaller, specific goals like "reach out to three contacts this week" or "apply to two jobs today."
This way, you can celebrate small wins regularly, which can boost your morale and keep you motivated.
Step 3: Prioritize Self-Care
Taking care of your physical and mental health is crucial!
Ensure youāre getting enough sleep, eating well, and exercising.
These activities can significantly impact your energy levels and outlook. Additionally, engage in activities that reduce stress and bring you joy, whether itās reading, listening to music, crafting, or spending time in nature.
Step 4: Limit Exposure to Stressors
While staying informed is important, constant notifications and emails can increase stress.
Try to limit your time on job boards and social media.
Set specific times to check these platforms, and use tools (or at least, set up email filters) to manage job alerts effectively.
Step 5: Learn New & Expand Current Skills
Use this time as an opportunity to learn new skills (like storytelling) or deepen the existing ones.
This can make you a more attractive candidate and also give you a sense of progression and purpose.
There are many free or low-cost online courses and workshops that can help you stay updated with industry trends and tools.
Step 6: Network Effectively
Networking can sometimes feel like a chore, but try to view it as an opportunity to learn and connect with others, not just a means to find a job.
Fined online events to participate, attend virtual meetups, join webinars. All these activities can provide support and advice, and even lead to job opportunities in a most organic way ;)
Step 7: Seek Support (no shame in that!)
Donāt hesitate to reach out for support!
This can be professional support from career coaches, or emotional support from friends, family, or support groups.
Sometimes, just talking about your experiences and challenges can alleviate stress and provide new perspectives!
Step 8: Reflect and Adjust
Take time to reflect on your job search process.
Do it regularly (i.e. every day or at least every week).
Whatās working? What isnāt?
Adjust your strategies as needed. Maybe you need to tweak your resume (yes, again!), maybe you need to focus on a different industry, or approach networking differently?
Adapting your strategy can prevent feelings of stagnation and helplessness.
Step 9: Keep Perspective
In todayās job market, finding the right job opportunity most likely WILL take time.
Itās important to maintain perspective and remind yourself that job hunting is often a marathon.
Be kind to yourself and celebrate the effort youāre putting in, rather than fixating solely on the negative outcomes.
Because in the end - IT WILL ALL WORK OUT!
Step 10: Engage in Volunteer Work or Non-Profit Projects
Consider volunteering or working on personal projects related to your field.
This will help you feel productive and connected to your profession, which can be very fulfilling and may also catch the eye of future employers.
With all that in mind, here is an idea for your day-by-day action plan - to keep your job search structured and manageable while minimizing burnout š
A Five-Day Sample Planā
Day 1: Research and Planning
Morning (9 AM - 11 AM): Identify key companies you're interested in and positions available. Use job boards, company websites, LinkedIn, etc.
Break (11 AM - 11:30 AM): Step away from the screen and refresh.
Late Morning (11:30 AM - 1 PM): Set specific goals for the week. This could include the number of applications to submit, people to network with, and skills to learn.
Afternoon (2 PM - 4 PM): Start working on customizing your resume and cover letter for the jobs you've identified.
Day 2: Application Submission
Morning (9 AM - 12 PM): Submit applications to the positions you researched yesterday. Aim for quality over quantity; personalize each application.
Break (12 PM - 1 PM): Have lunch and do a non-job-related activity.
Afternoon (1 PM - 3 PM): Follow up on previous applications if needed. Send polite inquiry emails to touch base on your application status.
Day 3: Networking
Morning (9 AM - 10 AM): Identify networking opportunities such as webinars, virtual meetups, or LinkedIn groups.
Late Morning (10 AM - 12 PM): Reach out to new contacts or reconnect with old ones. Use LinkedIn or other professional platforms to send personalized messages.
Break (12 PM - 1 PM): Relax and recharge.
Afternoon (1 PM - 3 PM): Attend a virtual event or webinar if available. Participate actively.
Day 4: Skill Development
Morning (9 AM - 11 AM): Engage in learning. This could be through online courses, tutorials, or reading recent industry-related articles.
Break (11 AM - 11:30 AM): Take a short break, go for a walk, or do some light exercise.
Late Morning (11:30 AM - 1 PM): Apply new knowledge to a small project or update your portfolio.
Afternoon (2 PM - 4 PM): Continue learning or start a small project that demonstrates your skills.
Day 5: Review and Self-Care
Morning (9 AM - 11 AM): Review the weekās activities. What was accomplished? What needs improvement?
Late Morning (11 AM - 12 PM): Plan for the next week. Adjust strategies based on what worked or didnāt.
Afternoon (1 PM - 3 PM): Engage in self-care activities. This could be anything from watching a movie, reading a book, engaging in a hobby, or practicing meditation.
Daily Tips:
Start each day with a brief meditation or any kind of mindfulness exercise to set a positive tone.
Limit each job-related task to specific time blocks and stick to them to avoid fatigue.
Ensure you end your job search activities by the designated time each day to give yourself a mental break.
Keep a journal of your job search efforts and feelings. Reflecting on your progress can help maintain a sense of achievement and purpose.
This structure will help you balance intense job search with adequate breaks and personal time, which is crucial to avoid burnout!
It also will ensure that you are actively moving towards your goal while taking care of your mental health. This is super important!
Hope this 10-step practical steps + 5 day plan help!
And if you have any questions youād like me to answer, please send them to ā uxmentordiaries@gmail.com
Till next Saturday,
āMarina
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