Job Search Blues? Shake Them Off

In the past two quarters, the onslaught of negative news about massive job cuts around the world has made it increasingly difficult to stay positive. However, as someone who has weathered this daunting experience, I can attest to the fact that maintaining a hopeful outlook is crucial. I understand it's easier said than done, but it's the only way forward.

In a moment of unexpected and sudden change, I was laid off from my job in December. Fuelled by my unwavering confidence in my skills and experience, I embarked on a job search journey, certain that it would only take weeks to land my next opportunity. But as the weeks turned into months, and March rolled around with no job offers on the horizon, my once unbreakable spirit began to crumble, and doubts crept in. The constant rejection and lack of progress in my job search threatened to consume me.

What makes you successful?

It's natural to dwell on rejection and the negative aspects of unemployment, but it's essential to break free from this pattern of thinking. The key is to shift your focus towards the concrete facts of your past successes, no matter how small they may seem. This approach can be incredibly challenging, but it is vital to maintain a positive outlook and stay motivated during the job search journey. One effective strategy for combating negative thought patterns that can undermine your confidence during a job search is to create a list of accomplishments. It's important to acknowledge that your current job search journey is just a small part of your overall career trajectory. Take a moment to reflect on the lessons you've learned and the challenges you've overcome in your years of experience. Remind yourself that you have what it takes to succeed. Creating a list of these past accomplishments and reading them every morning can help condition your mind to view yourself and the job search more positively. This can boost your confidence and help you approach the job search with a renewed sense of purpose.

Plan and track your achievements daily

Focusing solely on finding a new job can get taxing over time. Start breaking that larger goal down into smaller, manageable tasks. Set specific periods of time for updating your resume, practising interviewing skills, researching potential opportunities, and applying to jobs.

Get the taste of daily achievements, by just not focusing on career goals. Consider setting achievable goals at the personal front as well. This may include goals like organizing your closet or writing one article a week or working on your much-awaited fitness goals. By picking one thing each day or week to accomplish, you can create a sense of accomplishment and progress.

Create a planner, either digital or on paper, where you can list your daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly goals. Make sure to break down each week into manageable daily tasks, and set realistic expectations for yourself. By accomplishing small goals every day, you can stay motivated and maintain momentum in your job search as well as your personal life. Keep track of your progress and achievements in the planner, which can help you rebuild your confidence and stay positive throughout your long job search.

Form a support group with professionals in your field, or with those who are looking to change careers. This group can meet regularly to provide feedback on each other's resumes, offer interview tips, or discuss new opportunities. Collaborating with others who believe in you can help you see yourself in a new light, and give you the momentum you need to land that next great job opportunity.

Take up Pro Bono Projects

It is important to continuously upskill throughout your career, and volunteering is a great way to do so. By volunteering, you can sharpen your existing skills and even gain new ones. Your expertise as a volunteer can bring value to an organization and help them achieve its goals. Volunteering can help you practice and sharpen your skills and also give you the opportunity to teach and share your knowledge with others in the organization. This can boost your confidence as a subject matter expert and help you feel valued and appreciated for your skills and capabilities.

Volunteering not only helps you develop and sharpen your professional skills but also has a positive impact on your psychological well-being. It creates a sense of gratitude and studies have shown that grateful people tend to be happier and have a more positive outlook on life. So, consider volunteering as a way to not only give back to your community but also boost your mood and mindset.

Health and wellness

?Job searching can be a gruelling process, requiring you to look for and apply to multiple job openings and reach out to various contacts regularly. It's crucial to set aside some time to indulge in activities that you enjoy and excel at, whether it's playing a sport or hiking, biking, or simply reading a book. To increase your sense of accomplishment, add easily achievable goals such as reading 30 pages a day or biking 10 miles a week to these activities.

You cannot be filling up eight hours a day just looking for or applying for jobs. Set yourself daily slots for the job hunt and then empower yourself to close the computer and try one of these other ways to rebuild your confidence. True confidence comes from feeling capable in your mind and body, allowing you to achieve anything you set your mind to. By focusing on building your confidence during this time, you'll feel more self-assured and less reliant on external validation from a job offer to confirm your value.

As for me, I was able to find a job after three months of searching. Although this new opportunity was also not my final destination. I tried to hold my confidence in my capabilities and believe that this job will allow me to continue to grow and develop both professionally and personally.