The 3-Month Checkup: What Is New and Improved in My Job Search?

Today marks 3 months to my last day at my former employer. So what has changed since my layoff, and what am I doing differently in my job hunt?
 
I’m thinking about these topics in a pro/con analysis. On a positive note, I've been able to drop approximately 10 pounds given a little more flexibility in the start time of my “working at finding work” days. Mostly, I've been able to exercise more, which, consequently, has helped with the weight loss. Additionally, I've been moving between so many appointments and events that often there isn't time to fit in a full meal. I strive to avoid filler foods and eat healthy, and often truly healthy foods can’t be easily found while on the run. As often as is practical, I pack a lunch. So fitting in the interview suits is easier these days. Plus being energized is an important trait when presenting yourself in interviews.
 
I spent the first month of my job search laying the foundation for the actual job hunt. As with a foundation for a house, the support structure for the job search needs to be solid. I spent several weeks tailoring my resume to be sure it incorporated state-of-the-art resume writing tips and could be used in a variety of computer formats. That same month, I also attended several classroom seminars on networking, interviewing, negotiating and other job search skills. To round out my calendar, I volunteered my marketing expertise for a global conference on sustainability.
 
After the global conference finished, I had most of the seminar learning bolted into my brain as well as a nicely fine-tuned resume. So I was all set to tackle the second month of my journey. The foundations I had laid in those first 4 weeks were critical in preparing me to actively job seek. Perfecting the resume was a really important step and truly well worth the time invested. It doesn't make sense to float out a resume that isn't as stellar as possible. Plus, it’s hard to keep track of various versions that just aren’t the best reflection of your capabilities.
 
What did my very active job seeking look like? At the very least, I have learned not to multitask as much as I had been doing previously in my professional life. I simply focused on the task at hand. This involved:
 
     • Contacting a wide variety of industry-related recruiters.
     • Contacting my old firm's business friends via professional social networking sites.
     • Participating in industry special-interest groups.
     • Enrolling in and using various job boards.
     • Networking in new business groups.
     • Practicing public speaking in local business forums.

So all cylinders were on fire and I was hitting my stride in my job search, and then a new opportunity arrived in my third month. This was the chance to gain certification in project management at a local technical university. The training was being funded by a grant I qualified for, and it mandated I start the coursework almost immediately. Fortunately, the coursework is just part of the week and I can devote the rest of the week to my job search. As a result, the quest is on a slightly slower path while I partake in this formalized training that certifies work I had done for the past 9 years.
 
I recall a couple short years ago my twin sons had various immunizations at their start-of-life checkups: 1-month, 3-month, 6-month, etc. With that cadence in mind, my job search’s 6-month checkup will be next. Hopefully, any shots I have to take in the arm (or to the ego) will be well-placed to bolster my ongoing health and maintain my well-being while I seek a new position. Or, more optimistically, maybe I'll be reemployed prior to the next checkup!
 
Looking back at the first three months of your job search, what is new and improved in your life now?

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