Chances are you are launching a job search for one of two reasons: you recently lost your job, or (for any number of reasons) you’re exploring alternatives to your current position. Both are strong motivators to hit the pavement to search high and low for something new to meet your professional, financial, and personal goals.

Looking for a job can be overwhelming; between resumes, job boards, recruiters, and social media, it’s hard to know where to start. At its core, job searching is an exercise in project management and personal branding. To be successful, you must develop a timeline, milestones, metrics, action items, a budget, and an overall strategy. Your job search will be more effective if you have a job search plan in place.

To help you get started, our expert recruiters have put together their top tips and techniques for a successful job search.