Taking Advantage of the Freedom in Your Schedule

There’s a saying “The problem with unemployment is that when you wake up, you’re on the job.” – Actually that’s not completely true, though it does feel like it.

Outplacement firms and fellow candidates will recommend you spend 35 – 40 hours a week on search.   After 40 hours, your productivity begins to slide.   In discussions with fellow candidates, we all agree as you tend to focus on issues with diminishing returns.

Your weekly priorities should be to dedicate time to your search and then dedicate time to yourself.  

Use the extra time to take some on-line courses/seminars to develop your skills, volunteer, etc. – it does not matter.   Just think of all the stuff you never had time to do when you were working.    If you can, sleep in on Wednesday.  

The non-search activities allow you to make progress and accomplish tasks.

For ideas on your schedule, look under Candidates Tools for “Organizing Your Search Week”