Foundation & Focus: Career Clarity, The 30-Day Job Search Kickstart
The Mid-Growth Moment
If you’ve ever planted seeds, you know the first two weeks are the most fragile. You water, you wait, and for days it looks like nothing is happening. Then—tiny green shoots push through the soil. Not the full garden yet, but proof that growth is underway.
That’s where you are in your job search. Two weeks in, you may not have an offer yet (or even an interview lined up)—but you’ve planted seeds: clarity, focus, resilience. This weekend checkpoint is about noticing what’s sprouting and setting yourself up for Week 3, when we shift from mindset and focus into visibility and voice.
Coaching Story: The Reluctant Reflector
One alum, Maya, told me she “wasn’t making progress.” But when we reviewed her first two weeks, she’d done more than she realized: clarified her values, set non-negotiables, drafted her ideal job description, and built a target list. She hadn’t applied to a single role yet—and that was the point.
Instead of rushing, she had laid the foundation for a smarter, more aligned search. The checkpoint showed her she was building traction, even if it didn’t look like traditional “progress.”
Sometimes growth looks like preparation. That’s still progress.
For New Grads & Seasoned Pros
New Grads: These two weeks have been about resetting your mindset and clarifying your goals. Even if you feel like you’re “behind,” this reflection proves you’ve built a foundation many job seekers skip.
Seasoned Pros: If you’ve been laid off or are in transition, you may feel pressure to move fast. This checkpoint is a reminder: slowing down to clarify your values, non-negotiables, and red flags will save you from repeating mistakes—and help you land a role that fits both your skills and your life.
✅ Action Steps: Self-Checkpoint Questions
Take 20 minutes this weekend and journal on the following:
- What’s one thing I’ve learned about myself in the past two weeks?
- What’s surprised me about this process so far?
- Which exercise felt most clarifying? Which one do I want to revisit?
- How am I handling the emotional roller coaster differently now?
- What do I want to carry forward into Week 3: Visibility & Voice?
And here’s a downloadable worksheet just for you today.
Why This Works
Reflection turns activity into insight. It shows you that you’re not just busy—you’re building a foundation for the next phase of your search.
Week 1 helped you reset your mindset.
Week 2 helped you clarify your focus.
Now you’re ready for Week 3: telling your story with clarity and confidence.
Keep Building
If you want extra support in reflection, visit the Kelley Alumni Career Services site for exercises and coaching resources.
Next in the 30-Day Job Search
Week 3 → Visibility & Voice: Your Story, Clearly Told
Read Day 15 → Resume Revamp: Positioning Yourself for the Roles You Actually Want.
