Using GTD for a job search
June 25th, 2010 GTD Times Team - Staff ContributorsCategories | Community Contributions | Getting Things Done | Implementation | Inspiration
Michael, a GTDer in the community, shared with us about how he used GTD in his job search:
For the longest time, I procrastinated filling out applications. The task just seemed so daunting and hard to manage. By breaking “find a new job” into mini-project, job applications, my whole outlook changed dramatically. All of the sudden, each application I complete is like a personal victory. I move it from @ Apply to @ Waiting For – Jobs, and there is this tremendous sense of accomplishment at seeing how many I’ve completed. At the same time, the master list of jobs has been really helpful, especially during the Weekly Review. Sometimes I review my jobs list and remember that I need to check the status of one of the applications online or need to call to follow-up to see what the status is. There’s this great feeling that nothing is slipping through the cracks.
It really amazed me how well, with a few modifications, the GTD system could handle the job search.
We’ve also heard from people using GTD on their resumes. Have you? What would you say about your GTD skills that would stand out to prospective employers? Leaps long lists in a single bound… Inbox to zero on a regular basis… Will actually capture what you ask me to do…. ?
I was laid off several days ago. The irony was I spent the week before using my vacation time to implement GTD. Although I haven’t fully implemented GTD, the natural thing for me to do was immediately add “Secure employment” as a project. My next action was to organize the project, and as a result I captured my first actions. I have no doubt that using GTD in job search is like having a life preserver.