Choose a starting point
Describe the work you want to do in plain language. Pick one or two job families and note the location, schedule and compensation you need. Use a handful of recent vacancies to check what employers call that work. Similar roles can appear under different titles, so save a few variations.
- Write down five skills or responsibilities you can explain with a recent example.
- Save two vacancies you would seriously consider and highlight their recurring requirements.
- List the people who know your work and can help you understand where those roles are advertised.
Make the next step easy
Use one folder for job descriptions, résumé versions and interview notes. Choose a fixed time to search and a separate time to contact people. At the end of the week, compare the roles you found with the roles you expected to find. Adjust your search terms as needed before increasing your application volume.
Bring one clear question to a peer group. Asking for feedback on a specific résumé bullet or target title is easier for others to act on than asking them to review your whole search.