It’s easy to get distracted when conducting an active job search. After all, it is hard work and can be very stressful, especially if you are now working from home. There is always something pulling your focus, like a load of laundry or dishes to wash.
There are many time management systems to increase productivity that focus on time, tasks or both. But I have had success with a technique called Pomodoro.
The Pomodoro Technique was developed in the 1980’s by an Italian named Francesco Cirillo. The method breaks down work into timed intervals known as pomodoros. The name came from a tomato-shaped kitchen timer that Cirillo used as a university student.
The typical Pomodoro cycle takes two hours and looks like this:
- Pick a project or task that you need to focus on.
- Use a timer to set up a 25-minute block of time, and start to work.
- When the 25 minutes is done, take a 5-minute break.
- Repeat this cycle three times.
- After the fourth cycle (which will be at the two-hour point), take a longer break (15 to 30 minutes).
25 + 5 + 25 + 5 + 25 + 5 + 25 + take a break This is a two-hour cycle.
Twenty-five minutes is surprisingly enough time to get a task done. And not only do those five-minute breaks give you time to use the bathroom, but they can also give you the chance to put in that load of laundry. There are many sources where you can find apps, websites, and even tomato-shaped timers to keep track of your Pomodoro sessions. Personally, I use my iPhone!
So, give the Pomodoro Technique a try to see if it works for you. If not, research some other time management methods that will help you improve your productivity. There is no shortage of them out there, including using SMART goals, the Getting Things Done method, and more.
As a career coach, I provide my clients with tips like these to make their job search easier. If you are having difficulties staying focused on finding a job, you can schedule a FREE consultation with me here. Let’s find some ways to manage your time that work well for you!