Job Search Journal.

We have all been there. weather it be, looking for a new job while working or looking for a job while out of work (for what ever reason it may be).

Some times its easy to find to a new job and other times it can be a nightmare.

I wont lie my personal experience in finding a job has mostly been a long and painful proses.

I’ve always kept track of what I have applied for in my planer and in my email. But after randomly going though Pinterest I came across some images of Job application bullet journals. 

Which got me thinking about the whole proses of job hunting. but manly the way to track what you have applied for, what your priorities or values that you want in a job.

In a bullet journal you can track what ever you want. weather that be hobbies (painting/drawing, writing, knitting.), saving money (days when you don’t spend, taking a pack lunch to work, a Saving challenge). your moods. 

So having a notebook dedicated just to job searching could be a productive helpful way of seeing, were your going wrong in your search, what you want out of a job, and just adding a bit of positivity to the task (especially if you are out of work)

I am no professional recruiter or a guru in motivational speaking this is purely form personal experience and what I feel would work for me. And might help and inspire some one else.

I’m using a girded A5 notebook from Paperchase, (Its been sitting around with some random notes in it so I have repurposed it.)

Rather then just listing jobs that I have applied for and companies that I have emailed I have set up some pages which should help, encourage and inspire in away.

The first Pages are for my job history. so jobs that are on my CV and jobs that are not as well as any voluntary work.

this way if I’m  filling in an applications that dose not want my CV I can refer to these pages and put any other Information in to the application that might not be on my CV.

Hobbies and Interests. sometimes it is easy to forget about adding this to you CV. Personal I think Its important to show that you hobbies and intreats, it shows that you do things outside work, if you attend an art workshop or a class  pop it on there. It also shows a bit about your personality. 

What alwas sticks in my mind is being told not to put socialising with friends down, as a possible employer may see it as “you like going out clubbing”

For me this section will have my art and blogs, visiting galleries and museums. 

My next spread is for Strengths, Weaknesses and Areas of growth. (looking back on it now I should have giving it 3 pages. And yes have spelt strengths wrong but this book is just for me.)

The reason that I think these should be over three pages is that that they going to end up being a combination of person and professional, if not three pages then one page for each  heading and then divided in half. In the weaknesses section for me would be that I am dyslexic.

All these pages are to help you create an insight in to how work in work. and how you can improve 

The next two pages I feel are important to have. Personal values and Work values. 

(again these two cam from prettyprintsandpaper.com )

Personal values for me would be not working sundays, so I can spend the day as a family.

Where as work values, things like they don't expect me to take work home with me. I’ve been in jobs where it got to a point where they would Just be put down for over time with out asking and when I said I was unable to do it I was made to feel guilty for having a life out side of work. So a company that dose not expect me to do every bit of overtime offered.

Deal Breakers, this could be anything from the amount of travel needed to get to work, the type of job. for me bar work is not good for my anxiety.

Networking sites. 

these are sites that can be used, that have a one line chat groups or have an section where you can post projects (bit a portfolio part to it). This aloes you to show your creative side, with it be art or writing, such sites as The Dots and Stage 32. The dots is pretty much off any one where Stage 32 is for those in the Entertainment industry. (and yes I spelt sites wrong)

The last page is for the job sites to check. sometimes it is easy to forget what sites to check. Or even companies that you might want to work for that you want to check.

This book is not just for  listing what jobs have been applied for but also so for any notes from youtube videos or site posts with tips or advice on job searching, filling in applications and interviews. 

Try to keep it a positive place, with quotes and the occasional picture. 

 I hope that some of you might find this help.