When searching for a job, it’s helpful to think of the process as a cycle rather than a series of steps. This will allow you to constantly evolve the actions you take while going through the job search cycle as needed due to different opportunities. Addressing your job search in the job search cycle will make the sometimes daunting task of finding a job a little easier for you.

There are basically five phases of the job search cycle. These five phases are broken down below:

1. Get ready: In this first phase, you will first need to assess yourself and your goals. He needs to find out exactly what his skills are and what he wants to do for a living. Once he has decided what type of career he would like to explore, he should find out what employers in that field are looking for and what the current job market is for that career.

2. Get employment opportunities: Phase two in the job search cycle is finding qualified job opportunities to pursue. This phase requires you to pull out all the stops. You’ll need to network, search online at sites like Monster.com and CareerBuilder.com, and you’ll also need to look in the newspaper. The more job opportunities you get, the better your chances of getting a job.

3. Apply for jobs: Phase three is the one that requires a fair amount of time and effort on your part. This is where you will apply for all the job opportunities you have found. This phase requires you to create compelling cover letters, refresh your resume, and take the time to complete any online applications or forms you may need to complete.

4. Prepare for interviews: The fourth phase of the job search cycle is preparing for all the interviews that will hopefully come your way. To do this you will need to practice what you will say and how you will say it. Interviewing yourself in front of a mirror is always a great exercise. You should also prepare your reference list and thank you letter before any interview.

5. Follow-up and decision: Once you’ve gone through the first four phases of the job search cycle, you’ll need to finish with the fifth phase, which is tracking and deciding. Never wait too long after you’ve been interviewed to follow up, as you may be forgotten. On the other hand, don’t call every ten minutes, as you may come across as a bit annoyed or pushy. Once you receive a job offer, it’s up to you to either accept the job a potential employer wants to give you or start at the first phase of the job search cycle and continue until you find what you’re looking for.

Following the five phases of the job search cycle will not only make your job search easier, it will also keep you better prepared no matter what comes your way.