Tips for Managing Your Time

Finding work can be a time-consuming process and particularly so if you are unorganized in your approach. Organizing your time and energy can help you stay focused and increase the likelihood of your success.

One of the most important tools in the time organization process is a calendar. On this site, you can maintain a schedule of your appointments and related activities using an electronic calendar. Below are some tips for maximizing the usefulness of your calendar and some general time management techniques:

• Always, always write down your appointments—with whom you are to meet, when, and where. If you don't know the location of the business or recognize the street address, be sure to get detailed directions and write those down as well.

• Try to schedule appointments in the same general area on the same day to facilitate travel and take advantage of being in the neighborhood.

• If you are asked when you'd like to set appointments for interviews, consider Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday as options before Monday or Friday. Dates at the beginning and end of the week tend to be more likely to be canceled or rescheduled at the last minute due to unexpected absences or workload demands.

• Although most interviews take less than a couple of hours, it's best to allow extra time (more than two hours) just in case the interviewer wants to show you around the work site or introduce you to others in the workplace.

• Allow ample time between appointments for travel time and any delays on the part of the interviewer or an extended interview with a prospective employer. Usually the safest course of action is to schedule an interview for morning and an interview for afternoon.

• Check your calendar frequently and at the same time everyday so that you don't forget what you have scheduled for a particular day.

• Keep notes on your calendar following appointments to indicate when you need to follow up with prospective employers.

• Don't hesitate to print out or braille out your calendar routinely so that you have both the electronic version and a hardcopy.

Learn more on AFB CareerConnect®

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