Keep on Walking - How Long will it take to find a job?

" If we are facing the right direction, all we have to do is keep on walking."
- Ancient Buddhist Proverb

There's an adage in the search industry that says a job search takes one month for every $10,000 in compensation. While there is some evidence that a higher compensation search might take a bit longer – or at least require a bit more effort – than a lower comp search. If you earn $190K, should you expect it to take nineteen months to find a job? The answer to that can be greatly influenced by how you approach your job search.

For instance take a different task that requires some effort. How long will it take you to shovel the snow off your driveway - no, it's March, so let's be a bit more optimistic - how long will it take to fill a backyard swimming pool with water? It will go allot faster if you use more than one water source and a hose with greater capacity (or a snow blower instead of a shovel for those of you not yet fully out of winter mode). Wouldn't you opt for the more effective method of filling a swimming pool or clearing your driveway? Both of these tasks will also happen more quickly if you don't stop for a hot cocoa (or cold beer on the pool deck).

My point being that the effort you put in to the search will be the essential ingredient to reducing the length of your search. In addition, what tools you use to increase your effectiveness are also extremely important.

Have a look at your average weekly activity. How many resumes are you sending out a week? More importantly how many TARGETED resumes are you sending out each week? If you aren't targeting your resumes to the position it's going to decrease your success. Targeting the resume with move you up to the increased efficiency of a snow blower as opposed to the old-fashioned snow shovel.

It may be a tough market but that will require you to put additional thought into your applications. The old quality over quantity. Where and with whom are you posting your resume? Look closely at your niche and target those job boards and recruiters who are looking for your specific skill set. For example, a recruiter that you have worked with in the past with success would be a good place to start. A google search for your profession with keywords for your geographical area should give you a good idea of who is looking for people with your specific background.

When you do decide to send in the resume make it easy for the recruiter or hiring manager to identify why you are the best fit. It sounds simple, but reading the job description and matching yourself to it is really essential. You would be surprised by the number of people do not make the attempt to apply to a job that matches their qualifications. It will take longer if you are applying to position that are not a match to your experience and qualifications. You wouldn't try to shovel snow with a rake!

I would recommend doing some homework on how to make your efforts effective and efficient. There are good free Internet resources and some excellent books available on job search. The time you spend researching and applying the right tools and venues will save you time and effort.

Making the appropriate targeted efforts will shorten the search and make you the exception to the one month to 10K rule. Getting yourself facing the right direction is the first step to making all that walking worthwhile.