Pierson Job Searching Progress Chart

Job seekers can use the Pierson Progress Chart to monitor the status of their job searches. Even people not currently looking for work should read any materials that offer evidence-based advice for job searching strategies. Indeed, job seekers, in all stages of their job searches, are more likely to land their dream jobs if they are equipped with more effective job seeking strategies.

I procured the chart from “Highly Effective Job Searching Strategies,” written by a well-known career consultant, Pierson.  In today’s recessional economy, everyone needs to be knowledgeable and possess highly effective job searching strategies so as to navigate better these uncertain times.  Pierson, the career consultant, has produced a book based on his many years of experience in career consulting.

The Pierson Progress Chart is divided into three types of job searching effectiveness measurements: total hours expended, total number of letters written, and total number of contacts. By organizing and analyzing job searching data in this format, job seekers can more easily see for themselves how best to maximize the effectiveness of their job search. 

The Pierson Progress Chart begins with the number of hours one spends on job search activities, including job search education, research, letters and administration, and networking. “Job search education” includes activities such as studying evidence-based job searching strategies designed to improve the outcome of the search. “Research” includes activities that involve investigating background information pertaining to employers of interest. “Letters and administration” involves the number of hours that one expends writing and organizing notes related to a job search. “Networking (phone)” and “networking (in person)” refers to the number of hours that one spends expressing one’s job seeking interests to others.

The “total letter” section and the “total contact” are intended to measure the number of contacts made with the intention of getting jobs.  What makes the “total contact” section different from the “total number of letters” section is that the total number of contacts focuses particularly upon the employer of interest. By focusing more on the target employers, one can improve the chances of landing the job of intention.  The “total number of hours” includes the number of hours that one spends on any type of job search, not only on the target company.

The “total contacts” section is designed especially for recording the number of contacts made with employers of interest. The forms of contact for the target company can be divided into three major sections: Target Company Miscellaneous Contact, Target Company Peer Contact, and Target Company Decision Maker/Above. In the section for “Total Contact,” it helps job seekers to become more involved in communicating with the decision makers and peers, who work in the target company, in order to get the interviews or even the offers.

I am writing this essay on Pearson’s Highly Effective Job Search Chart in order to help jobseekers gain a quick review and understanding of the sections of the book that will help them the most. I highly recommend that everyone read the “Highly Effective Job Search” by Pearson if you would like to study these concepts in greater depth. I will continue to write several essays on the topic of job searches. I have become very interested in becoming a coach myself. Perhaps writing this job searching essay for you will be my first step in becoming a better business professional.