Weekly checklists and templates
One short checklist for each step. Print the page, or keep it open on Friday when you review your week. You don't need to tick everything. Pick the step you're on and do what fits the time you have.
Spreadsheet templates
Each one is a CSV file. Open it in Excel, Numbers or Google Sheets (File, then Import) and save your own copy. The example rows show the format; delete them when you start.
- Outreach tracker (CSV): one row per person you contact, with the channel and a follow-up date.
- Application tracker (CSV): one row per role, from applied to offer or closed.
- Target company scorer (CSV): fit, want, signal and access, scored 0 to 3.
Step 1: Get clear on direction
If you have 20 minutes today: Write your one-sentence direction, rough is fine, and send it to one person who knows your work.
- I have written my direction as one sentence.
- I have read 10 postings for the role and noted what excites me and what puts me off.
- I have asked one or two people in that work for a 20-minute conversation.
- I have put a date in my calendar, two or three weeks out, to keep, adjust or swap the direction.
Step 2: Build your materials
If you have 20 minutes today: Rewrite one resume bullet so it starts with a result and a number.
- My resume summary names the problem I solve for the role I want.
- My top five bullets each start with a result.
- My skills list holds 10 to 15 hard skills that match a real posting.
- My LinkedIn headline leads with the role I want, and my photo is visible to all members.
- I can tell the story of my change or my gap in three sentences.
Step 3: Choose your targets
If you have 20 minutes today: Add three companies to your list and find one person at each.
- I have 10 to 15 target companies, scored for fit, want, signal and access.
- I have named two or three people at each of my top five companies.
- I have saved one or two job alerts with a date filter.
- I know which recruiters, if any, cover my field.
Step 4: Reach out
If you have 20 minutes today: Send one message to someone on your list, and put a follow-up date in your tracker.
- I sent about 8 researched messages this week.
- For every role I applied to, I wrote to one person on that team or to the recruiter.
- Every message has a follow-up date in my tracker.
- I sent the follow-ups that were due before writing anything new.
Step 5: Interview and decide
If you have 20 minutes today: Write one interview story: the situation, what you did and the result.
- I have six to eight stories written down, each with a result.
- I have practised "tell me about yourself" out loud, in under 90 seconds.
- I have three or four references who have agreed and know what to say.
- I have a researched pay range written down before any first screen.
Step 6: Keep going
If you have 20 minutes today: Write down three things you did for your search this week, however small.
- My search blocks for next week are in my calendar.
- I sent my three weekly numbers to someone.
- I checked any job offer I have not applied for against the scam warning signs.
- I took at least one full day off.