The best part of falling is getting back up again....

I've been a recruiter for the best part of 10 years, and being part of that world has certainly had it's ups and downs. As recruiters, we're essentially thrown around by the waves of the economy and world events totally outside of our control. The thing about recruitment, and marketing for that matter, is that they can be one of the first to "go" in a company's time of crisis. A lot of businesses are going through one of these tough periods now. As a result, a lot of my day to day involves speaking to many brilliant marketing professionals feeling shocked and devastated at the undeserved loss of a job, and afterwards, disheartened in the current market when the search for a new one takes longer than expected. It's when my job feels the hardest, but when I want more than ever to have the right words to say. In light of this, here are a few "blanket" encouragements for anyone feeling demotivated in the job search....

Remember it's not you

Now there are more jobseekers out there, it's often the case that multiple candidates will impress an employer and could do the job. When some of these great candidates are inevitably turned down in favour of just one preferred candidate, I often sense people's instinct to put themselves down about their performance at interview, or the skills they bring to the table. After hearing the bad news you didn't get the job, obviously endeavour to get constructive feedback, but try to remember the bigger picture and don't allow it to destroy your confidence. If you got as far as a final stage, you could have done that job. People wouldn't waste time inviting you back if they knew you weren't a potential fit. It's so often the case that something outside your control meant you didn't get it, and the market currently means there is so much more competition out there. It's not you, it's the market!

Things can change quickly

If there's one thing I know about the recruitment world, is that unpredictability is king. That job that just pops up out of nowhere with your name written all over it after weeks of fruitless searching. That interview you felt went badly but you do get invited back. After a few knocks, it's easy to feel like bad news is always around the corner, but that isn't always the case. All it takes is one, and that one may come when you least expect it. Stay positive!

Remember the value you will bring to others

A very wise friend once told me when I was going through a tough time personally, "remember how this feels, because one day you might be the only other one who understands someone who is in this same boat." This might not add a lot of comfort right now, but in hindsight, this great advice has helped me reflect back on that period with some positivity. I can offer genuine comfort to anyone I meet feeling that same struggle, from a place of total understanding. There will be somebody one day who will need to hear the story of how you went through this, felt it all, and got back up again. That will spur them on to keep going. Genuine empathy is an amazing gift to give to others - in any context!

Job searching is more than just a process, a lot of the time you are bearing your soul to a stranger to show you're a cultural fit, working through the night on a presentation task you want to nail, repeating yourself constantly - it's exhausting, and not surprising so many find it hard to stay positive. Cut yourself some slack, take a deep breathe, take in the big picture and remember the best part of falling, is getting back up again!