7 Ways to Stay Motivated During Your Job Search
Finding a new job will take longer than you want. You'll face ups and downs. Many job seekers say the biggest obstacle they face is staying motivated.
One of the most difficult parts of job searching is overcoming the rejection that you will inevitably face. You will not be a fit for every job you apply for. And even if you feel you are a fit, there may be many other reasons the company decides not to move you forward as a candidate. Don't take it personally. The company may already have identified a candidate or they may have decided not to hire anyone at all. It will drive you crazy trying to figure out why you weren't selected, so don't waste your energy.
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Perhaps worse than the rejection you'll face is the black hole of never hearing from a company after you've applied. It happens too often. Instead of getting frustrated or angry over something you can't control, focus on things you can do.
Buddy up. Enlist a friend to advise you or join a job seeker's group. Your job search buddy could be someone who has recently secured a new job or someone you think will help hold you to task. Having someone you can turn to will serve as one part accountability and one part motivation. If you choose to use a friend, make sure you designate a time to regularly check in with her. Also, set some guidelines to keep your meeting positive and helpful. Using an informal agenda not only provides you with structure, it also ensures your ad hoc coach can actually help you. Avoid complaining by changing your gripe into a question you'll ask your job search buddy. Asking for help can initially be difficult, but, for the person you tap to be your support, it can be extremely gratifying.
Take five. If you are working on your job search 24/7, it can be exhausting and you may suffer burnout. Dial back and set limits to how much time you invest in your job search. You need time to re-energize so make sure you carve out time to wind down. Take a walk, meditate or just relax. Your goal is to work smarter, not harder. Remember, this is a marathon, not a sprint.
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Timing is everything. Know what parts of the day you have more mental energy. You will use these time periods to do the things you find take the most effort. If you dread networking or reaching out to people on the phone, do these things when you have peak energy. Filling out job applications, writing cover letters and refining resumes are activities that should be done outside prime business hours since you need those times to follow up on applications you've submitted or emails to people you'd like to have an informational meeting with.
Lend a hand. Instead of focusing all your energy on your job search and yourself, help others. Find an organization that needs your help. Volunteering is a great way to escape from your situation and helping others makes you feel good. The added benefit of volunteering is that you'll be interacting with other people. This may even result in job leads.
Retool. If it's been awhile since you've updated your skills, they may need retooling. You don't necessarily need to go back to school full time. There are many ways to acquire new skills from online classes to community colleges. If cost is an issue, you may want to consider asking someone you know for help learning a new technology. Before you invest your time or money, make sure the skill is one a future employer will value and that the person or institution providing the training is well-rated.
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Reset. Sometimes, starting your job search over from scratch will reinvigorate your efforts. This is a perfect opportunity to sharpen your focus. Only look for jobs with specific keywords or skills you know you enjoy using. Write your resume as if you were applying for the perfect job. This means only highlight the skills you most enjoyed using in each of the jobs you've held. Only apply for jobs that you are excited about and qualified for. You don't need to meet 100 percent of what the company asks for in the job description, but you do need to have a majority of things the job posting seeks. Remember, you don't know which job requirements are negotiable, so if a job looks great, go ahead and apply.
Hire help. This shouldn't be the last resort, but it often is. Job seekers who have been unsuccessful searching for a job on their own seek help when they feel discouraged or desperate. If you do decide to hire a professional coach, make sure you can work with each other. Most coaches will have an initial consultation with you and review their services, how you'll work together and the pay structure. Another way to assess the coach is by checking references. There are coaching certifications and coaches who specialize in helping job seekers by occupation or job level. Coaches won't guarantee you a job so you'll want to make sure you're clear on what you expect and how you will work together.
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