This is the way I was taught:
1) Best glide speed
2) Note direction of wind.
3) Look out and see where the most suitable fields are. Don't waste time looking for a specific field.
4) Turn crosswind and do your re-start thing.
5) At 1500ft turn downwind and do your Mayday thing. Keep a watch out for a good field.
6) Turn base leg. Only now make a final decision about where to land.
I used this method on my skills test. Only problem was that my chosen field was planted with potatoes! The examiner took me back up to 1000 feet and made me choose another one.
I made so many mistakes on my skills test I was very surprised when I was told I had passed!
I think good decisions rather than handling skills is what the examiner is looking for.