Job Searchers: Are You Better Than Yesterday?

I recently read an interesting article on author Tim Ferriss' blog titled "The Big Question: Are You Better Than Yesterday?" 
 
It's a guest article written by Chad Fowler, who talks about a simple, yet powerful, way to solve problems and continually improve by asking yourself this daily question: "Am I better than I was yesterday?"
 
I think this same question can be used by job searchers on a daily basis to help them make progress towards finding a job in the current climate.  Finding a job in a tight market is like trying to solve any other problem.  You break the problem down into the various component areas and then focus on improving those individual areas consistently. You stay focused and don't give up just because you don't get instant results - instead you keep learning and improving day in, day out until you get the outcome you want.  
 
Better Than Yesterday? Last Week? Last Month?

- Was I better at succinctly explaining what I want? Better than last week? Better than last month?
- Was I better at articulating my unique value proposition than yesterday? Better than last week? Better than last month?
- Was my resume/CV better than yesterday? Better than last week? Better than last month?
- Was my networking approach better than yesterday? Better than last week? Better than last month?
- Was my interviewing style better than yesterday? Better than last week? Better than last month?
- Was my search strategy better than yesterday? Better than last week? Better than last month?
- Was I better at dealing with rejections than yesterday? Better than last week? Better than last month?
- Was I better at following up leads than yesterday? Better than last week? Better than last month?
- Was my attitude better than yesterday? Better than last week? Better than last month?
- Was my time management better than it was yesterday? Better than last week? Better than last month?
- Was my focus and attention better than yesterday? Better than last week? Better than last month?

OK, Here's What You Need To Do 
 
1. Every evening, take 5-10 minutes to ask yourself the above questions
2. Pat yourself on the back for the areas where you are improving and getting better
3. Pinpoint the areas that you haven't got better at
4. Pick out ONE area that if you improved on, would have the biggest impact on your job search
5. The next day focus on taking some steps in that ONE AREA that will help you get better
6. Go back to point 1 and repeat...
 
While many people will try and convince you that job searching is a matter of luck, I can assure you that you make your own luck based on what you do or don't do. There is a science to job searching, a system with various components that, if you continually improve and stay focused on, will in time help you get the results you want.  
 
However, the big challenge during a recession is to stay focused when you are surrounded by bad news and dealing with a barrage of rejections. But asking this wonderful question every day will, I'm sure, help you stay focused and continually improve until you land that elusive role.
 
So tell me, are you better than yesterday...?

By Sital Ruparelia

 

Comments

[Ernie Perez]

This was quite good and had some useful go forward ideas about improving your job search.

[John McGill]

When you are ready to really sit down and search try myonejob.com. Why didn't I think of this? All the job hunting sites on one web page. Perfect.
http://www.myonejob.com

[H. S.]

myonejob.com is not working.

[JIm Edwards]

First you have to know where the jobs are before you mount a strategy to go after them. Most executive job seekers look to executive recruiters and job boards for open positions. The problem with this is recruiters get 15% of all executive searches and fill half of them, and only 1% of anybody ever gets a job from a job board.

[John McGill]

Try http://myonejob.com/