Rejection has a funny way of aiming below the belt. What’s worse is it creates a vicious cycle; we go from being rejected to beating ourselves up, which leads to a negative outlook and disposition, which very often contributes to further rejection and on and on. When someone experiences a long period of unemployment or lack of full employment, the road gets dark and bumpy really quickly.
If you find yourself looking for a new kind of employment or have been laid off and can’t land your next gig, don’t lose hope. Here at Job Connection, we know that there is a great opportunity waiting for you. Even when times get tough, there is something out there for everyone. It might not feel that way some days, however, so here are some tips to stay motivated and on top of your game as you search and land the next great job.
Tips on Keeping Your Motivation High While Job Hunting
Searching for a job can be a learning experience. It’s not often talked about, but it is a likely culprit for many people giving up or settling for a job that is not right for them. The draining cycle described above is a familiar nightmare to many Americans that have found themselves out of work. So how do you get through this tough period? We’ve put together a list that can help you stay consistent.
Consistency is key
Approach a job search like your job. The mindset that people adopt during a job search is half the battle. Sulking your way to a job or waiting for the dream job to come knocking on your door is not the way to do it. So, how do you stay productive after a week or two, when it appears nothing is working? Stay consistent and set some goals for each day. For example, set a goal to apply to at least one or two jobs a day, or set a schedule that you follow. Get out of bed in the morning, get ready, and approach the search the way you would any job.
Set a system of organization
This may sound rather obvious, but staying on top of applications, reference letters, rejection emails, or possible leads, can get pretty chaotic without a good system of organization. Just like staying consistent with your search, keeping an organized list of what is working, what is not working, who you’ve applied to, who has answered and not answered, makes productivity easier. Organize your desk or workspace so that you know where you are in the process and any applications that you may need to follow up with.
Assess and Reassess your resume
Resume writing is an art. The conventions of a good resume change depending on industry and time. Twenty years ago a resume might have looked very different and employers may have been looking for different skills. Today’s job searchers tend to have more jobs on their resumes than in the past.
So how do you organize the right information into one or two pages? There is plenty of online research to help guide you, including ways to improve your resume. It is also important to take a moment and assess what might not be working. What are the kinds of jobs you are applying to? Do they have certain resume conventions?
Follow up
Employers will often be bombarded with applications or interested applicants for any one position. It can get overwhelming for them to keep track, so it’s a good idea to follow up with employers that you are interested in.
A good rule of thumb is sending an email or following up after an interview to thank them for their time and consideration. After a few days or a week, sending a second follow-up to check-in. This shows that you are interested in the position.
Don’t let the job search bleed into your leisure time
This is a common mistake. As times get difficult, people become quite obsessed and overwhelmed with the search that they dedicate all day every day until they get burnt out. This is why it’s important to set a schedule and treat the search like a job. You still need time to relax, take a walk, spend time with the family, etc.
Staying motivated can be difficult. So why not seek some inspiration from people that you look up to? Take some time to read about how others have gotten through difficult moments in their lives. It can help reinforce your drive to move forward.
Looking for Your Next Opportunity? We’ll Help You Find It!
There are many ways to get frustrated and throw your hands up in defeat, but there are also a lot of ways to keep moving forward and push through the other side. Here at Job Connection, our passion is helping people find and seize that next opportunity so that they can begin the next chapter. We help connect employers and hard-working people. Feeling frustrated? Connect with us, and we’ll connect you with a good employer.
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