There’s no way to sugar coat it – the job market is as tough as it has ever been. We have seen an unprecedented number of resume submissions for jobs, and the news about the economy out in the media is not exactly the most positive. But if you are a job seeker and need a new job, you can’t afford to give up. The best advice I can give you, and this is based on the observations I have made in crossing paths with countless job seekers from all walks of life, is to try to keep your head up and be persistent. There will be ups and downs, and it will feel like a rollercoaster at times, but it is critical to remain as positive as possible. Landing the right position may not happen as quickly as you would like or in the way you predicted, but it will happen.
A few years back I started working out with a personal trainer, because I had hit a plateau working out on my own. Once this happened, I found myself less motivated to go to the gym because I was not seeing results. There’s a funny thing that happens with our bodies, and more particularly with our muscles. Once they become used to the same routine, they adapt and resist. This is exactly why I had leveled out. My trainer’s solution was simple: he changed the workouts each week so that specific muscles would always be challenged differently and not become accustomed to the same routine. It also was a great help that I had him as a coach to make sure I followed through and didn’t take shortcuts. The combination of both ensured that the program worked successfully.
This anecdote is really no different than the predicaments many people experience during a job search. Once you hit a wall and seemingly see less response to the resumes you send out, or aren’t the top choice in interviews, it becomes easy to have your confidence shattered. In many situations there are still unresolved feelings and emotions related to your previous job, and these can of course have an additional impact in a negative form. It can be very frustrating when you start felling like nothing is working and everything you have tried is failing. But don’t give up. Find ways to mix up your search to keep yourself motivated in order to overcome the rejection and the discouragement that is common to feel.
In short, if you find yourself being stagnant in your own job search - mix it up! A few of the ways I have seen people do it are as follows:
If you know others who are also engaged in job searches, team up as job search buddies – similar to having a trainer or workout partner, having someone (or a few people) to continually motivate you, and vice versa, is a huge positive. Although it may feel at time likes a solitary pursuit, I have seen a number of people have success simply by not trying to do it all alone.
Join a job search support group – there are actually groups out there that have been created exactly for this purpose, and they have become more common during this economic downturn. Again having the support of others, and being able to share ideas and encourage one another could prove to be just the lift you need.
Focus on smaller steps – rather than being overwhelmed by feeling like you need to do everything at once, focus instead on setting a list of attainable goals each day that work toward the big picture.
Seek out social activities – I would suggest activities that aren’t necessarily related to your job search, either. Not only can these type of pursuits give your mind a break from the grind of a job search, but they can also be a great way to interact and practice networking. Don’t’ underestimate the power of human connections because of the emotional support and encouragement they can provide.
Seek out inspiration – whether you take a class in a field of interest, read articles or books about successful people, or take a walk in a park, finding inspiration revitalizes your outlook when you feel like you have hit a wall.
Volunteer – is there any better way to put your own problems in perspective than by helping someone else? As bleak as times may become, there are always people out there who have it worse. Giving back can help you refocus and recalibrate your own outlook. I can’t explain it in scientific terms, but I am still amazed just how many people I have seen successfully find new jobs as a direct result of volunteer work. Volunteering is of course a great way to network, and the good karma certainly doesn’t hurt either.
Above all, don’t let discouragement overtake you. Find ways to mix up your job search, and try one or several of these ideas. Or think outside the box and come up with your own. The important thing is to continually look for new ways to keep moving forward. Be persistent, and you will have success.
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