Your job search is often a race against the clock. So, you need a structure to stay focused. If you don’t have a focus, your budget, patience and stamina are going to wear very thin.

If you’ve just lost your job then focus becomes critical to getting a new job fast. If you’re making a job or career change while you’re still employed, then focus will help you avoid frittering away your time and resolve.

In either case, to help you stay in focus and get the job, we recommend you take the following actions immediately:

1. Prepare a time and money budget. Estimate how long your financial resources will carry your through your job search. Assign time each day to dedicate to your campaign. This is especially true if you’re fully employed.

2. Create a schedule. Running a job campaign is like running a small business. There are certain activities that have to be done in a certain sequence. If you don’t have a planned schedule to accomplish them, then, chances are you’ll find all kinds of welcome interruptions like TV, social visits, sports activities, etc.

3. Make an office for yourself. Dedicate a desk or room devoted to your campaign activity. Supply it with a phone, computer and office supplies. And then use it to separate yourself from other household activities so that you have quality time while your at work in your office.

4. Prepare a list of contacts to use for networking and information-gathering. Start with family and friends. Then expand to include professional contacts, religious leaders, civic leaders, service clubs, etc.

5. Identify networking opportunities in your area for the next several weeks, i.e. situations that allow you to rub shoulders with decision-makers and knowledgeable people who could be in a position to advise you, e.g. business seminars, religious functions, civic activities, service club meetings, etc.

No matter what your situation, finding a new job is very stressful and requires a lot of energy. Getting your job search in focus right upfront will go a long way to expedite your campaign.