<\/p>\n
No Need for Lab Coats<\/h2>\n
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First things first: No need to panic if you\u2019re not particularly scientifically minded. You won\u2019t need an advanced physics degree to apply these simple steps to your job search. Before we look at what the method is, and how it can be applied to a job search, let\u2019s illustrate why it could be useful.<\/p>\n
Think about your current or last job search. One of the most challenging aspects of looking for a new job, especially if you\u2019re currently out of work, is the financial pressure. The more this pressure, along with the stress of needing to find a new job mounts, the more tempting it is to simply start applying for anything and everything.<\/p>\n
Taking this approach can be a mistake though, for a few reasons:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Lack of care over individual applications can mean your CV gets lost in the crowd quickly<\/li>\n
- You might be tempted not to write cover letters for every application (find out how to write one with our cover letter guide<\/a>).<\/li>\n
- You\u2019ll probably end up applying for jobs you don\u2019t really want.<\/li>\n
- You might stand out to employers and recruiters for the wrong reasons, especially if you\u2019ve applied for a few jobs with the same agency or company.<\/li>\n
- The lack of responses will get frustrating.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
By applying a simple form of the scientific method to your jobsearch, you\u2019ll remove these problems easily while hopefully staying more positive and motivated.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
![\"A](\"\/explore\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Image-1-1-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
What is the Scientific Method?<\/h2>\n
\nSimply put, it is a process that allows scientists to determine if their initial idea was correct. It generally follows six stages, which are:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Define a question.<\/li>\n
- Gather information.<\/li>\n
- Form an early explanation\/answer to the question (a hypothesis).<\/li>\n
- Test the hypothesis with an experiment<\/li>\n
- Analyze the results.<\/li>\n
- Draw conclusions, and use these informed conclusions to start the process again if needed.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
With this is mind, we can now see how these steps can be effectively applied to a job search.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Six Step Job Search Experiment<\/h2>\n
\nLet\u2019s take our example above, of using the \u2018shotgun\u2019 job search approach of applying to everything. Suppose we\u2019ve tried it for one week, applying for jobs everyday, and had no success at all so far. Now let\u2019s try using the basic scientific method in relation to a job search.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n1: The question<\/b><\/div>\n\n\u2018Why am I not getting any response from employers after sending so many applications?\u2019.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
\n2: Gather the information<\/b><\/div>\n\nHow much time did you spend making sure your application was as good as it could be? Did you tailor your CV and cover letter to fit the role (you can find a fast and effective CV Wizard right here<\/a> at JobLookup if you need, as well as a CV Wizard guide<\/a> to help you get started)? These questions, as well as a bit of research into what recruiters and employers look for in job applicants, can shed some light on why you haven\u2019t been successful so far.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
\n3: The early explanation<\/b><\/div>\n\nMaybe your cover letter and CV need tweaking – it could be better therefore, to cut down on the number of applications and focus on quality rather than quantity, making sure you tailor each application to match the role as much as possible.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
\n4: The experiment<\/b><\/div>\n\nSet a weekly target of roles to apply for (let\u2019s say two to three, for example), then spend time researching each company, making changes to your CV to fit with the roles offered, and composing individual cover letters for each application.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
\n5: The results<\/b><\/div>\n\nHow many of your applications resulted in a follow up or interview?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
\n6: The conclusions<\/b><\/div>\n\nIf you still had no success, what other aspects can you look at and alter for next week?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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![\"A](\"\/explore\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/photo_2019-08-12_02-04-40-1024x682.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe above is just a rough example of course, but the essence here is that constantly reviewing and refining your job search achieves two things:<\/p>\n
- \n
- You\u2019re more likely to get success in the long term, as you\u2019ll constantly be learning how to make your applications better. You\u2019ll also be more comfortable writing CVs, cover letters, and attending interviews as time goes on, which will in turn translate into a successful job search.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- You can help to keep the stress and pressure of looking for a job at bay by making gradual, positive changes to your approach, rather than trying the same method over and over again to no success.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- You\u2019re more likely to get success in the long term, as you\u2019ll constantly be learning how to make your applications better. You\u2019ll also be more comfortable writing CVs, cover letters, and attending interviews as time goes on, which will in turn translate into a successful job search.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n