Your job hunt will generate a lot of papers, emails and notes. Here’s how to set up your home office to keep it all organized—and get hired.
SPACE
· Dedicate an area. It doesn't have to be a whole room, just a corner will do. But it’s critical to have a designated office spot. “You have to be able to control your space," says Neal Zimmerman, author of Home Workplace Idea Book. "When you go to it, it should be the way you left it.”
· Declutter. If you already have an office set up in your home, there's a chance it has turned into a dumping room. So clean it out! says home office organizer Brandie Kajino.
· Set firm boundaries. Tell the people you live with--yes, kids, that means you—that your office area is private. Tell them when you’ll be working and alert them when you can’t be disturbed. Kajino recommends something as simple as posting a “Do not disturb” sign on the door when you’re on an important call.
· Stock your supplies. Chances are you already have a lot of what you'll need, so to save money, survey your house for standard office supplies. And then move it all into your new, cleaned-out office space; you want everything you’ll need within reach. “It’s so easy to walk away to get something and not come back for another two hours,” says home office expert Lisa Kanarek.
· Be comfortable. Job searching is stressful; so try to make your space as relaxing as possible, says Zimmerman. Pay attention to the ergonomics of your keyboard and chair (you’ll be spending hours at them); manage the temperature of the room; and think about lighting. A strong glare from your computer screen and low lighting with both strain your eyes.
· Eliminate distractions. If the cat is going to jump on the keyboard while you're sending an email then keep her out of the room. And a blaring television will only throw you off (that's why we have Tivo). Your office should be a space where you can focus.
• Consider a phone headset. You'll be able to take notes or look something up without hurting your neck and it's more comfortable during long calls.
• Learn to love skype. This free video conferencing system is what you need if an employer requests a video interview. The key is professionalism in every interaction: Make sure your phone has a hold function so the recruiter is spared the background noise of your home. Also, double check that you have a direct line where employers always can reach you, says Kanarek; not one your kids might answer.
• Keep careful track. It’s important to have your contacts centralized and a calendar accessible, and both Kajino and Zimmerman rely on tech tools for this. Outlook includes an address book and Zimmerman accesses his daily schedule on his PDA. Go with what works for you, though, even if it's a spiral calendar. And keep track of your interactions with employers so you know when to follow up; Kanarek has found a detailed Excel sheet does the job.
PAPER
· Set up a system. It’s a digital world, but physical documents still float around, especially with job applications.
