Discouraged About Your Job Search? 3 Ways To Feel Better
Have you been invited to lots of interviews but not hired yet? Worried that someone else got the job you’ve been hoping for? Are you feeling discouraged? Or just getting tired of all the searching...? Getting overwhelmed? Bored so you find a lot of time wasted on social media? Feel like it should already be happening?
It’s totally normal to feel this way. Especially if you’ve been at this job search for awhile. So keep this in mind: it can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months of actively looking for a job before getting hired.
Now is the time to keep going. Push forward. You CAN do this. Start with these 3 things to help you feel better immediately.
Relax. “Wait, what?!” That’s right, relax. It might seem counter-intuitive but relaxing your attitude towards getting a job will help it come easier. You don’t have to stop searching and definitely continue applying for jobs...just look at the process with less stress. If you’re feeling desperate to get a job, it will come through in a phone call or interview and it’s not appealing. So...relax a bit. You will find a job and you will get hired, this unemployment is only temporary. You’re doing everything you can to improve your situation. So, inhale a deep breath and give yourself permission to relax.
Take care of yourself. Go for a walk in the morning. Take a break from the computer or phone screen. Do something creative that you really enjoy doing. Cook a healthy meal. Take a warm bath with epsom salt. Light a candle and do some stretches. Read a book for fun. Watch an episode or two (within reason, no bingeing) of your favorite show. Go to the gym and expend some of that frustrated energy. Do something you’ve always wanted to do but didn’t have time for while you had a job. It can be simple or even “silly.” However you do it, you’ve got to be there for yourself!
Focus on what you WANT to happen. Think about and really focus on all the good things that you want to happen and not your biggest fears. Write down a list of the ideal qualities your dream job will have. Instead of just being satisfied with any job that comes your way, remember that you have a choice. Yes, I’ve heard it before that “any job is better than no job.” While this may be true in the short-term, making a career choice is a big deal. If it goes well, you could be in this job for a long time, so use this downtime to reflect on what you truly want. Then, think and feel positive about it.
Learn To Think And Feel Positive
Think and feel positive?! Isn’t that hard? Not hard, just different. At first, if you’re not used to thinking positive it will feel a little uncomfortable. Thinking positive is a skill. When you inevitably catch yourself starting to obsess about all the little things you could have/should have said in the interview or imagining worst-case scenarios to come, STOP.
Remind yourself that it’s more productive and beneficial to spend your mental energy in a more focused way. You dedicate a lot of time to this project of finding a job, so why not bring your best outlook with you when you do it?
Don’t judge yourself for thinking bad thoughts. If a negative thought comes in, just recognize it, let it go, and replace it with a new positive thought. So, instead of thinking: “They’re never gonna call me back. I totally blew it.” Recognize that it’s a negative thought and say this: “They’ll call when the time is right. I did the best I could.”
Start small and keep practicing. The positive thinking spiral can happen quickly and become contagious!
Do One Thing Today…Right Now…Go!
Thinking positive is a lot easier when you have some momentum and excitement happening behind the scenes in your job search. How do you build momentum and stay positive? Take one action today, right now, that will help you feel like you’re moving forward. You can start by:
Researching how to improve your skills towards a specific job or position.
Practicing those foreign language conversation skills.
Finding a course at your library or local community to enrich your personal and professional life.
Making a phone call.
Sending an email.
Improving your LinkedIn Profile
Making a list of dream jobs and dream companies to apply to.
Writing a list of the greatest strengths you have to offer a new position or employer.
Do one thing that will give you even more confidence to keep going. Momentum can start small. It’s those little actions that help move you forward in life and in your career.
Keep Track Of The Jobs You’ve Applied For
When your best resume is out there, one that shows your unique experience and abilities, along with a strong cover letter that truly reflects who you are. When you allow yourself to feel relaxed, refreshed and ready for it. The perfect opportunity won’t be able to resist knocking at your door.
All of my clients receive a job tracker tool that I created specifically for the purpose of building momentum and taking action in your career search. This document can work magic to keep you organized and clear on which jobs you really want to apply for. It especially helps when you start getting calls back (and you will!) for interviews to keep all the details straight. When they call, you’ll be ready to answer with your new positive mindset.
I’m interested to know...how’s your job search going? Which one of these ideas are you ready to try? What’s worked for you so far? What are you biggest challenges when looking for a job? Leave a comment and let me know.
