Do you make job hunting a full time job?

LadyMissA

Notmyrealname wrote: »

Its easy to make it a 10 minute job if all you're doing is searching on the internet. However if you do what I did in the last two recessions which was to walk up and down industrial estates and the high streets looking for work, it takes a bit longer.

Around here many vacancies are just advertised in the window of the shop or wherever.

Pretty much those who are unemployed the longest will be those putting in the least effort like yourself.

Searching the net is a bit more than 10 minutes

I spend over 2 hours looking at Totaljobs when I search all accounts roles in London. Clicking in to each job if you think the title looks right takes time and to read the advert.

falko89

LadyMissA wrote: »

Searching the net is a bit more than 10 minutes

I spend over 2 hours looking at Totaljobs when I search all accounts roles in London. Clicking in to each job if you think the title looks right takes time and to read the advert.

I imagine that would take a fair bit of time, I don't have such bother, 20 mile radius search often reveals a dozen jobs, not hard to pick through them.

purple.sarah

One thing that takes longer but is worth it is tailoring your application to each job. Obviously the jobs on your CV will stay the same but you can emphasise the skills relevant to each job and customise your cover letter. Companies can see when you've taken a genuine interest in their vacancy and shown that in your application and when you're just copy pasting and applying for any job. In the competitive current climate you need to apply for a lot of vacancies and make your application stand out and that takes time. Also consider increasing your skills by studying or volunteering for a charity.

JamesK10

The simple answer to the OP is no, literally making it a full time job is a fast track to depression and as mentioned, the same jobs get reposted with different dates even if the employer knows when it closes.

I make sure that the most jobhunting happens on the day the emailed job lists get the new ones for the week, normally today or Wednesday at the latest and anything with a Monday deadline on the agency site, means Friday for the employer, so there's three really busy days each week. The rest of the time is for checking individual company sites or Guardian Jobs.

When putting extra work in to the very best jobs, those applications take over the day so that would be the only completed app of the day, especially if it's through an agency and not a "send us your CV" direct email.

falko89

JamesK10 wrote: »

The simple answer to the OP is no, literally making it a full time job is a fast track to depression and as mentioned, the same jobs get reposted with different dates even if the employer knows when it closes.

I make sure that the most jobhunting happens on the day the emailed job lists get the new ones for the week, normally today or Wednesday at the latest and anything with a Monday deadline on the agency site, means Friday for the employer, so there's three really busy days each week. The rest of the time is for checking individual company sites or Guardian Jobs.

When putting extra work in to the very best jobs, those applications take over the day so that would be the only completed app of the day, especially if it's through an agency and not a "send us your CV" direct email.

Yeah I noticed this, I searched every hour on the hour for the first month I was unemployed, I noticed it did really do my head in.

londoner1998

Well, it depends.
I tend to do pretty much a 8.30- 5 job... some days I just look at websites trying to find vacancies and earmark them.Other days (like yesterday) are dedicated to filling in application forms and this can take a day or two, and if you have to research the company even longer. I also spend quite a bit of time emailing people asking for info about the roles or trying to set a phone conversation or face to face meeting... If I am going to see an agency, that will take the morning /afternoon, so that time is gone too.
So yes, I would say for me right now it is a full time job, although some days are slow, but others can be very full on doing a proper application , like the previous poster said. I don't resent it, because I think what more often than not what you put in is what you get and if I want to get a job, I have to invest time in doing applications tailored to each one. Not the most thrilling task, but if I know I can finish by 6 pm , I am a happy bunny and have something to look forward too in the evening: a walk dinner with husband, a good movie...

mjbmjb

No, it's not a full-time job.

But what you could also do is to bookmark the vacancies pages for local company web sites or from the industry that you are trained/qualified/experienced/interested in. Then visit them all once a week to see if a job opportunity has arisen.

Other than that, you could spend your spare time learning new skills, improving yourself, etc. You have plenty of time!

Good luck.