It’s no secret that we live in a fast-paced world. People want what they want and they want it right now. Wait more than 30 minutes for a pizza? That’s crazy talk. A drive-through took more than 5 minutes? We’re never going there again. Wait in long lines for holiday shopping? No way. We’re doing it online. Point and click, baby.

Well, you get the point, and if you’re like us you’re guilty of contributing to the “I want it now” mentality at least on occasion.

However, the beauty of an effective Plan B job search is that it allows working professionals to get away from that rapid fire pace if they choose to. You can develop a Plan B search that allows you to patiently build your portfolio while doing the things you need to do to help you find your dream job and to ensure that when you do find it you’re as prepared as possible.

“Evaluate your skills, strengths and weaknesses. Try to match up what you can do and what you’re trained to do with ideal positions. Going after the wrong kinds of jobs for your skill set can be an exercise in futility.” (From 5 Great Tips…)

This self-evaluation is an important step to take on your job search. However, in order to make it pay off, you need time to fully explore target companies or even target industries. A Plan B search should give you both the time and the tools to conduct the necessary research. This will give you the chance to look into compensation packages, locations, and more.

You’ll also need to get your resume up to speed and you’ll most likely have to gather references and endorsements, a task that’s not as easy as many think. It seems that companies don’t just want the glowing report any more. Call it cynical, but many companies won’t believe that you’re perfect:

“When I was hiring, if I called for a reference and the person sounded like they were reading a canned speech I discounted the whole thing and called another person on the list. I was always hunting for someone with candor…And if you are worried you are going to get a bad reference from an old employer, hire a reference check firm to check your own references.” (From Brazen Careerist)

You need time to make sure that your references are in place and you need time to hone in on companies and positions that interest you and that you’re qualified for. You need the means to see how you compare to others on the market, and you need to have a clear picture of what a company is looking for.

That’s where the patient Plan B search comes into play. If you’re a working professional who is “testing the water,” patience is truly a virtue. With the right tools and the time, you’ll be able to put yourself in the best position to find and get that job you’ve always been looking for.

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