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Overdue Material Stage

The Sprint Stage is designed to give you ample time to finalize your job search materials. However, if you find that additional time is needed after this initial period, you will move into the Overdue Material Stage. At this point, the focus is on completing your projects and non-technical materials as quickly as possible to get job search ready.

Contents

Overview

Why is there such an emphasis on finalizing your materials before beginning the application process? Many hiring managers automatically dismiss candidates who submit incomplete or poorly constructed materials, and we don’t want you to be disqualified before you’ve had the chance to make an impression. The Overdue Material Stage is similar to the Sprint Stage but with increased expectations and a stronger focus on becoming job search ready. In this stage, you’ll set daily and weekly goals to ensure consistent progress, with accountability built into your own schedule.

The job search can feel like a marathon, but you've been preparing for this, and starting strong is crucial to maintain momentum.

Overdue Material Stage

Material Goals

Finish your projects + start applying!

The primary goal of the Overdue Material Stage is to get job search ready and move on to the Application Stage as quickly as possible. The longer it takes to complete this stage, the more your job search is extended—this is not a phase to linger in.

What to Focus On

During this stage, your top priority is finalizing your materials. Regularly review your progress and ensure that you're addressing feedback on your projects and non-technical materials (e.g., resume, portfolio).

Daily Expectations

  • Log your job search activities using a tool like Huntr
  • Create SMART daily goals
  • Commit to GitHub—minimum of 2 commits
  • Continue working on your projects and materials
  • Check and respond to emails and other professional communication channels
  • Research jobs and add at least 1 to your application queue
  • Review your schedule for the day and stay organized

Weekly Expectations

  • Submit at least 40 hours of job search-related activity by the end of each week
  • Complete a weekly coding challenge (e.g., HackerRank)
  • Push at least 10 GitHub commits—review your GitHub activity to ensure consistent progress
  • Attend at least one virtual company information session or networking event
  • Track your progress and adjust your goals as needed
  • Send 10 LinkedIn connection invitations to expand your professional network

Monthly Expectations

  • Review all materials (projects, resume, portfolio, etc.) for consistency and accuracy
  • Test all project links on your resume, cover letter, portfolio, and online profiles to ensure they are functional

What Happens Next

Once your materials are complete and you're confident that everything is ready, you'll officially enter the Application Stage. Completing your materials is essential, but the process of applying, interviewing, and receiving offers is where the core of your job search begins.

Pro Tips

Here are some tips to help you move to the Application Stage as quickly as possible:

  • Stick to your schedule—A clear, consistent daily routine will keep you moving forward and help you avoid unnecessary delays.
  • Maintain momentum—While taking breaks is important, avoid long periods away from your job search as they can extend your timeline. Incorporate self-care into your routine to stay balanced.
  • Focus on group projects first—If you're working on collaborative projects, aim to complete those before moving on to solo work.
  • Regularly review your materials—Stay on top of updates and feedback to ensure your materials remain strong and up-to-date.
  • Set SMART goals—Use this Guide to create effective, measurable goals for each day and week.

Resources

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