Preparation
How long will it take me to get a job?
While it is impossible to say how long it will take you to get a job, there are generic processes in every campaign which are 'known' events i.e. there is always a time-lag between first and second interviews as the employer needs to assemble all the successful candidates. A recent survey showed that on average a recruitment campaign takes about 8 weeks but that some organisations regularly took up to 24 weeks! It may depend on what sort of company you are applying to.
This graphic shows the stages of a typical recruitment campaign. How many weeks do you think this may take?
The quickest you can have your feet under a desk is about 5 weeks but this is to back-fill a vacancy where there is no requirement for a medical or any security checks. Often a change control process for IT service (use of a PC) is a minimum of one month. So you may not start a new job for at least 9 weeks after you start your campaign.
Sectors such as consultancies, niche employers and government departments and public services also have their own unique time-lines which you should consider. It is important to be informed and realistic.