Five ways to build a job search plan

By Brinda Dasgupta

If you're on sabbatical and looking to get back to work, having a plan of action is essential. Brinda Dasgupta helps you go about charting an optimal search plan.

1. Introspect

Take a good look at your skills and knowledge. Think about what place you would like to join, and how your talents can be best used, said SV Nathan, senior director and chief talent officer, Deloitte in India.

2. Allocate Time

Setting aside a fixed number of hours in a day to actively search for work opportunities is important. "Use a specific time of day, preferably in the first half, to scout for leads, think of corporate contacts and head hunters, and follow up relentlessly," said Rajiv Burman, managing partner at Lighthouse Partners

3. Set A Deadline

Deciding by when you want to be employed is crucial. "A timeline of roughly 100 days should suffice in most cases. Use the first 20 days for research and sending out applications. Allow companies to get back in the remaining time," said Nathan.

4. Use Resources

With recruiters actively using social media, you should not be left behind. "Use professional networks effectively, and register on job sites for regular updates. Attend networking events," said Nilay Khandelwal, regional director, Michael Page Indian.



5. Update Skills

Being out of a job doesn’t mean you can afford to let your work skills go stale. “Identify a new skill - even a new language - which you would like to develop, and work on it,” said Burman.