JOB SEARCH ACTION PLAN

You don’t need to have your life figured out to start making career progress. Feeling stuck, unsure, or overwhelmed after finishing school is completely normal. Momentum builds confidence, and taking action (even small steps) can help you gain clarity about what’s next. This is about building traction and learning as you go. This plan helps you create structure, take action, and avoid the all-too-common paralysis of perfection.

  

STEP 1: SET A 30-DAY TARGET

Choose a date, 30 days from now. Write it down. This is your sprint timeline – not for solving your whole life, but for making meaningful progress.

Target date: ________________________

 

STEP 2: CHOOSE YOUR JOB SEARCH GOAL FOR THIS PHASE

Pick one that matches where you’re at now:

  •  I want any job to pay the bills

  • I want a job in a field I’m curious about

  • I want to test out a possible long-term career path

  • I want to build up real-world experience and confidence

  • I want something else: ________________________________________________________

  

STEP 3: DEFINE YOUR DAILY AND WEEKLY ACTIONS

Treat this like a part-time job. Commit to realistic, repeatable actions.

 Daily (choose 2–3 to start):

  • Search and save 3 job postings

  • Apply to 1 job (even if it’s not “perfect”)

  • Reach out to 1 person on LinkedIn or in your network

  • Research 1 company that interests me

  • Practice interview questions for 15 minutes (record yourself and review the video)

  • Rewrite or tweak résumé or cover letter

  • Watch a short career skills video (LinkedIn Learning, YouTube, etc.)

 Weekly:

  • Attend one networking event (online or in person)

  • Ask for an informational interview with someone in a field of interest

  • Reflect on what’s working and what needs adjusting

  • Apply to at least 5 roles

  • Send one follow-up email to a job or person I reached out to

 

STEP 4: TIDY UP YOUR TOOLS

You don’t need to be perfect, just polished enough not to get ignored.

Résumé Checklist:

  • Clear and easy to read (no tiny fonts or crowded pages)

  • Focused on results (“Created,” “Led,” “Improved,” “Completed”)

  • Includes relevant part-time, volunteer, or project work

  • No typos. Seriously.

LinkedIn (optional but ideal):

  • Decent photo (no crop jobs from parties)

  • Headline = what you’re looking for or exploring

  • A short, friendly summary about who you are and what you care about

  • At least 2–3 connections (start with family, friends, classmates)

 

STEP 5: TRACK YOUR PROGRESS

Use a simple tracker like Google Sheets or Notes to keep momentum going. Track:

  • Jobs applied for

  • People contacted

  • Interviews booked

  • Wins (even small ones – like “sent my first cold email”)

 

STEP 6: REFLECT & ADJUST

Every week, ask yourself:

  • What did I learn this week?

  • What felt energizing? What felt draining?

  • What’s one thing I can do differently next week?

Progress is better than perfection. Confidence builds with movement.

BONUS MINDSET TIP

If your brain says: “This feels awkward. I’m not ready. I don’t know what I’m doing.”

Try this response: “That’s fine. I’m learning. My only job is to show up and try.”