The “Finding a Job” Process

Define your wants and a way to obtain those wants

A process begins with a ‘need’ or ‘want’ and ends with the ‘need’ or ‘want’ fulfilled. It is best to have formal processes for business needs, project management and just about every other ‘need’ or ‘want’. Processes are used to guide us through a workflow that is not second nature to us. We typically do not need a process to buy groceries or put gas in the car as they are second nature to most of us. However imagine you are from another country and there are no cars in that country. Putting gas in the car would not be second nature to you and thus you would need to consult a process, or directions, on how to put gas in a car.

McDonalds and Pizza Hut and Subway have basic simple processes to create a burger, pizza and subs. As time goes on those processes become second nature to the fast-food employee. If you don’t believe that, then ask anyone who has worked at any of these establishments. I bet they remember those processes to this day. I do!

With that in mind, we have to follow a process to find a job. Your old process of looking on Monster, Dice, want ads and company websites for a job, applying to the job and then waiting for a phone call is not a formal process. It is actually a poor way to find a job!


The “Finding a Job” Process

1. Desired Job: Define what you want in a job. Determine your desired job responsibilities, desired job title, desired salary and so on. Determine how much, if any, travel is acceptable. You can also determine a location and industry if you desire. Keep your desired job expectations realistic.

2. Target companies: Look for companies that fit your desired job. Create a list of target companies you want to work for in your new position.

3. Update Résumé: This needs to be done before you even look for a job. Make sure your résumé is up-to-date and edited.

4. Network: Reach out to those in your network. Where are they working and where have they worked? Do any of your contacts work at companies on your target list? If they do, reach out ASAP!

5. Apply to job openings: Apply to jobs on your target list. If there are no jobs posted on your target list, then send your résumé to key individuals at these target companies. You can also apply to other jobs you may come across that fit your ‘desired job’.

6. Did you get an interview? If not Repeat steps 1 through 5 until you get an interview. You may add or subtract target companies, then go back to Step 2. You may need to modify your résumé. If the old résumé is not working, start over at Step 3. You many need more or better contacts. Thus Network better! Back to step 4.

7. Prepare for Phone Interview

8. Phone Interview

9. Prepare for Face-To-Face interview

10. Face-To-Face Interview

11. Important: After the interview ask yourself, "Does the company and position match my ‘Desired Job’ as defined in Step 1?" If not you have a decision to make should an offer come your way. At this point you may want to go back to Step 1.

12. No Offer: Repeat steps 1 through 5

13. Offer - Accept or Decline: If you get an offer, then you will need to Accept or Decline or Counter. Note that ‘Counter’ is step that will eventually take you to Accept or Decline. Decline: Repeat steps 1 through 5. Accept: Start your new job.

14. Review Period: 30 to 90 days into your new job, repeat steps 1 through 3 on a regular basis.


Your “Finding a Job” Process begins with your want to find a satisfying and good paying job. Your “Finding a Job” Process ends with you finding and accepting that satisfying and good paying job. However if you don’t adhere to a process, then you will miss key step and you won’t find the job you want or it could take you a long time to find that job. Without a process, you are playing a game of hit and miss and hope. So when you are serious about looking for a job, I suggest you define your wants and a process to obtain those wants.