built solid proof of work. the resume tells your story.
but do you have a system for job search?
no one warns you about this job search is the most emotionally taxing thing you’ll do. your confidence takes a hit. you might feel directionless. why write another cover letter when the last 20 disappeared? why network when you feel like damaged goods? you know you should be doing more. procrastination becomes protection.
monday morning, coffee in hand, twenty tabs open. linkedin here, company careers page there. you apply to three roles before lunch. by wednesday, you're scrolling twitter instead. friday rolls around and you've sent maybe eight applications. next monday, same story.
"after so many weeks of 3 4 interviews per week and still getting rejections, i got burned out." another: "getting out of bed at 10 am, watching youtube and netflix, staying in sweatpants all day."
it's the lack of a system. you're a high performer who suddenly can't perform this one basic task.
the spiral tightens less action, more shame, less confidence, less action.
because it has an end date. the structure fights the spiral. the tracking keeps you honest. the community keeps you sane.
let’s dive into this system
build your tracking system. set up your environment. most importantly, establish the 7:30 am rule.
shower. put on real clothes. not sweatpants.
no i am not your dad. but this is a proven method folks. multiple successful job seekers swear by this. your brain knows the difference between work mode and couch mode.
carve out a dedicated area. even if it's just a corner of your dining table. this is where you job search. nowhere else. your brain needs boundaries.
simple spreadsheet. company, role, date applied, response date, next steps. that's it. don't overcomplicate this.
<aside>
you can use this chrome extension to auto track & a lot more.
non members can also use it. it just might not work that well for you.
</aside>
max of 3 hours. the "treat job searching like an 8 hour job" advice is fantasy that leads to burnout.
9:00 to 11:00 am: deep work applications. your brain's fresh. this is when you customize cover letters and tackle those "why us?" questions. set a timer. two hours. done.
one new company deep dive daily. read their latest announcements. check their engineering blog. know their stack. this is a good time to get into research.
<aside>
i was like why not? we can all listen & vibe to a nice playlist while job searching.
flow state playlist indian classical fusion playlist
</aside>
2 quality applications daily. not spray and pray. three thoughtful, targeted shots.
company research done. role requirements mapped to your experience. and sending a cold dm to the hr or hiring manager. (cold dm series starts soon)