30+

by Emily Stark

EMILY STARK IS AN EXPERIENCED CAREER COACH & CPRW ON A MISSION TO EMPOWER WORKING AND RETURN-TO-WORK MAMAS.

Moms don't have time to job search.

I realized this when I began building Marketable Mama, shifting to exclusively coaching parents. It forced me to develop new job search tactics that could fit into a full-time working or caregiving parent's schedule.

Hours just aren't available.

So after MANY conversations, I've learned 15-20 minutes a day is the sweet spot most parents can devote to a job search exercise without feeling completely overwhelmed--micro-goals.

This idea has unblocked SO MANY of my clients and allowed them to move forward and feel successful with ease.

Check out these 30+ micro-goals for various career transition stages to help break down job search overwhelm into daily, manageable pieces.

Resume

(CHOOSE ONE A DAY, EACH TAKES 15 - 20 MIN)

• Reformat referencing a modern template keeping a keen eye on spacing, fonts, dates

• Remove bullets that don't relate to the position you want

• Add outcomes and quantifiers to bullets that align with the position you want

• Identify keywords from post (use jobscan)

• Embed keywords into resume content

• Remove lengthy objective statement with 3-4 eye-catching accomplishment bullets

• Update verbs at the start of bullet lines

• Edit and grammar check

Personal Brand Exploration

(CHOOSE ONE A DAY, TYPE UP AND SAVE IN A DOC)

• Why are you the best fit for the position?

• What do you want your future boss to know about you?

• 5 strengths you'll bring to your next role + examples

• Accomplishments, certifications, unique skills, and knowledge you want potential hiring managers to see?

• Professional reputation thus far?

• What interests do you want to show up in your next role(s)?

• Brainstorm 3-4 short and long-term career goals. What areas of growth motivate you?

LinkedIn PROFILE

(CHOOSE 1 - 2 A DAY, 15 - 20 MIN EACH)

• Update your professional photo and choose a background that aligns with your previous responses

• Research headline formulas and customize

• Build out a summary including your responses from questions 1-4

• Add 3-4 bullets to your LinkedIn experience that match the positions you want

• Add your resume and portfolio (if available)

• Review, edit, and toggle 'open to work' in your set up

JOB SEARCH + NETWORKING

(CHOOSE 1 - 2 A DAY, 15 - 20 MIN EACH)

• Scan LinkedIn connections and phone/email contacts and request 2-3 coffee chats

• Strategically connect with five new people w/a message

• Thoughtfully comment on 5 LinkedIn posts

• Post on LinkedIn and tag 2-3 people

• Register for a virtual or in-person career fair

• Write a strong message template that highlights the position you want, your unique value, and relevant experiences to customize and send out easily

• Subscribe to niche job board and LinkedIn notifications

Interview Prep

(CHOOSE TWO A DAY, 15 - 20 MIN EACH)

• Read and highlight the position's job post

• Research and take notes from the company's website and LinkedIn page

• Review your personal brand notes

• Write and recite career stories of collaboration, leadership, project ownership, and problem-solving. Follow STAR format.

• Connect these stories to the position.

• Brainstorm questions to ask in the interview.

• Visualize yourself in the interview and speaking confidently.

• Journal why you want to work with this company and dig deep. Reread right before interview.