If you’re having trouble getting motivated to start your job search, you may need a mindset adjustment. Or, you may need to simplify your approach. Or maybe you need a combination of both. In my own case, when I’m feeling overwhelmed by a project I know is important, it helps if I give it structure and break it down into more manageable buckets.

Try organizing your job search that way. If you can structure your job search plan around what I call the three Rs—research, relationships, and readiness—I think you’ll find it easier to tackle the project.

Set Your Expectations and Your Schedule

• Don’t wait for inspiration to start. The focus, confidence, and commitment you need for motivation come during the work itself, creating the necessary momentum to propel you forward. So start now, even if you’re not in the mood.

• Proceed with curiosity and excitement about the abundance that’s out there and what types of skills you can develop, rather than having a scarcity mindset about the job market, which will inevitably bring a feeling of stress.

• Decide what your daily schedule will look like, and protect your time! Studies show you’re more likely to commit to a project if you set clear boundaries around when you will work (as opposed to just listing “job search” as a to-do item). So establish your routine and just start. Schedule regular job search sessions. I guarantee you—it works.

One more thing before you start: keep in mind that you don’t have to work on the three buckets in any particular order. Of course, there are some parts of each that you’ll want to complete before approaching parts of others, but you don’t need to completely fill a specific bucket before working on the tasks from another.

Research

Create a list of all the companies you’d like to work for. And then get obsessed with those companies you’re targeting. Follow them on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Study their products, their success, and their competition. Find out what their pain points are and think about how you can help them overcome their obstacles. The language they use on social media and even in their job descriptions can you give you insight into their culture.

A helpful way to get started is to search for job descriptions online (including LinkedIn) for the roles you’re targeting. Once you have 5-10 job descriptions, scan them for skills. By doing this, you’ll come across some new keywords for your resume and LinkedIn profile. If they apply, you can add them to your list of skills and find a way to weave them into your branding and experience sections.

Set up a Google alert so you can stay on top of the companies’ news. Use Glassdoor to follow companies, research salaries, find job opportunities, and get helpful career tips.

Find out who in your network works at those companies and set up calls with them.

Which brings us the the next bucket…

Relationships

If you go to the company page on LinkedIn, they’ll show a list of people among your first and second-degree connections who work there. By the way, this is a great reason to build up your (quality) list of connections on LinkedIn. When you reach out to connect, make sure you send a personal note rather than using the stock message. Some people simply won’t respond if you send the default message.

Let’s face it. The old adage “It’s who you know” still applies to a large degree. There’s plenty of research that shows you’ll get a lot more traction from building relationships than by simply relying on online job boards. One reason is the referral program many companies use. Build relationships through LinkedIn and virtual events. Ideally, work on cultivating those relationships before you need a new job, but if you’re in an urgent situation, at least approach the contact by offering a little something in return for their time—even a $5.00 coffee card works great, as does following them on social media and engaging with their posts.

Let the contact know you’re doing research on the company and that you want to know more about how that role engages within that particular organization. Ask if they can introduce you to others, either within the organization or who might have helpful insight into a similar role at another company.

Make sure you’re respectful of your contact’s time. The best way to do this is to set a specific block (30 minutes is good) and stick to it. Also, provide a list of questions in advance so the s/he has time to prepare.

Now, let’s talk about the third bucket…

Readiness

For readiness, focus on four sub-categories:

1. Have you done your research on the companies you’re targeting?
2. Are your skills current?
3. What are some stories you can tell about your achievements?
4. Do you have your documents and digital profile ready for recruiters?

Remember those skills you found in the job descriptions? For your resume, be sure to add them to your branding section, the skills section, and your experience section, where you highlight your achievements. This will help your resume get through the screening process, whether it’s human or AI-based.

In LinkedIn, include these keywords in your headline, “About” section, “Experience” section, and “Skills & Endorsements” section. When you ask for recommendations from your connections, you can request that they use specific terms to further improve SEO.

Another important way job descriptions help with your readiness bucket is that they’re a great tool for providing clarity about any experience or skills gaps you may not have been aware of.

To address the gaps…

• Take classes through a university, LinkedIn, or Udemy. With online learning on the rise, the program doesn’t have to be local. Just google the training you’re interested in.

• Volunteer for a role where you can hone the skills that need work.

Curate up to 10 career stories and have those ready for interviews and other career-related conversations.

Finally, be sure to polish your documents and profiles with good formatting and a clear statement of how you’ve added value and will continue to do so at a new organization.

For more tips on your job search, follow me on LinkedIn and Twitter.

In the meantime, take a deep breath. Relax. Proceed with curiosity. Learn. Grow.

To good health!

Emily