As one of South Florida’s top employment agencies, Future Force knows that the average job search today is around eight months. That’s a lot of hours, days, and weeks spent networking, polishing your resume, and interviewing. As a result, it can be easy to lose steam – and your positive attitude – halfway through the search.
But there are some steps you can take to maintain your stamina and stay motivated, even in a difficult economy. Here are some tips to help you:
Tip #1: Acknowledge Your Feelings…But Don’t Focus on Them.
If you’ve been laid off, then you probably feel depressed, overwhelmed, embarrassed, or a combination of all three. It’s all perfectly natural, but don’t dwell too much on it. While you need to face some hard facts, you also need to put the past behind you and move forward toward achieving your goal of finding a new job. And if you’re throwing yourself a pity party, then your job search won’t be as effective.
Tip #2: Set Small Goals.
Obviously, your end goal is to get a job. But you’re setting yourself up for failure if that’s your only goal each day, especially considering the length of time it takes to find a new job. So set small goals each day or week; for instance, to send out five resumes or attend one networking event each week.
Also, focus on goals you can control (such as jobs you’re applying to and following up on, and networking efforts) rather than those you can’t (like how many interviews you want to get each month).
Tip #3: Apply to Jobs You Really Want.
If you think a job search is a numbers game, you’re wrong. Just increasing the number of resumes you send out doesn’t increase your odds of landing a job; in fact, it could reduce it. Why? Because rather than spending your time on a few, targeted positions, you’re spending your time blasting out un-customized cover letters and resumes. And while you won’t increase your chances of landing a job, you will increase the amount of rejections you get back, which can also be demoralizing.
Tip #4: Spend Your Time Engaged in Positive Activities and With Positive People.
Maintaining your positive attitude is a lot easier if you surround yourself with positive people and try to filter out negative information. For instance, rather than watching the news every night, you may want to read a book about the power of positive thinking. That’s not to say you shouldn’t stay informed, but if it negatively impacts your mood – particularly at a time when you’re more vulnerable – it’s ok to walk away from it for a while.
Want More Job Search Tips?
If you do, read our post about Common Myths That Could be Hurting Your Job Search. And if you want direct help from the experts, let Future Force know. As one of South Florida’s top employment agencies, we can give you access to temporary and full-time jobs in a variety of fields! Contact us today or search South Florida jobs now.