Keeping Your Job Search Timeline Straight

RyanS_OP_Blog_Timeline TipsDec 2018An offer might seem like a mythical, far away idea, but with persistence, confidence, and the right skills, you’ll be getting them before you know it. And, if your timing is right, you’ll get those offers around the same time.

I find that one of the most important and often overlooked parts of the job search process is keeping your timeline in control.

Why worry about your job search timeline?

When you’re on the job hunt, you’ll want to avoid starting conversations with companies while you’re receiving offers from others, in the midst of setting up interviews with another. Hiring teams won’t wait if you’re stretching out responses to field other opportunities, not to mention you could really stress yourself out.

You can keep a tight and productive timeline during your job search, here’s how to manage it:

Research, resumes, and references.

To get your timeline started in the right direction you’ll want to have a few opportunities/companies in mind that you’d like to apply to. Make sure your resume is up-to-date and know that you might need to modify it for different roles. Connect with your network and see if they would recommend or reference you when the time is right. The preparation of these items will help relieve stress during the process and even help move it along.

Communication is key.

Tell the Recruiters or Hiring Managers that you’re working with about other opportunities you are looking at. Be upfront about your timeline and even push companies to get interviews scheduled if they are falling behind.

Of course, other opportunities will come up when you’re deep in the process.

Don’t feel like you have to say, “no” to a company you really want to work with because you’re close to offers with other companies. Instead, be upfront and let them know that you’re very interested but you’ll need to move quickly.

Use your free time wisely and be flexible.

Monster published How to make time for a job search when you’re working full time’ that offers tips on finding the time to manage your job search process.

If you manage your job search timeline poorly you could end up at the point where you have to turn down an offer because you want to see other opportunities through. A well-managed search, using clear communication with the hiring teams you’re working with could lead to multiple interviews around the same time and, ideally, multiple offers at once to compare!

For more thoughts on multiple jobs searches simultaneously, check out my other post, ‘The job search is fragile, don’t put all your effort into one opportunity.’


Ryan Swartzendruber, Technical Recruiter for Objective Paradigm’s Talution GroupRyan Swartzendruber, Technical Recruiter for Objective Paradigm’s Talution Group, recruits on both contract and direct hire positions in addition to his Account Manager responsibilities. Ryan’s focus is in the financial and software industries where he consistently meets clients needs by identifying and placing talent to help businesses scale. Connect with Ryan on LinkedIn.

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