Top Tips for Staying Motivated During Your Job Search

The news and Social Media outlets such as Linked-In are filled with stories of layoffs in recent months. Maybe this includes you, and maybe it doesn't. As a job seeker, it is easy to feel discouraged as more and more workers flood into the job market. Some days, it’s hard to stay motivated to work on your resume, keep applying for jobs, and meet your daily responsibilities. You may have been laid off yourself, fired, re-entering the job market, or even looking for a career change.?

As time goes on, your motivation starts to wane. If you don't feel like you are getting traction in your job search, it can lead to feelings of insecurity and sadness as your value and worth seem to lay up in the air. Of course, they really don’t, and we know we shouldn’t value ourselves by our careers and compensation, but the temptation and doubt have a way of creeping in. Between the drastic change in your daily schedule and financial stress of reduced income, it’s important not to loose the battle of your mental health during your job search.?

The question is, how? It's not an easy battle. In fact, it's much easier said than done. But there are some things you can do to keep on the bright side of the situation.

1. Lean Into Routines

It can be extremely jarring to find your daily routine pulled out from under you. Maybe you used to go to the gym every morning before work. Now, you find yourself sleeping in. Or your lunch breaks used to mean time to pay bills and take care of daily life tasks and phone calls, or bond with your colleagues - but now you are in the house with your family, or young children, trying to figure out how to make headway on your job search and feeling lost. You may miss your coworkers and the camaraderie that felt like family. And now, that “family” isn’t your family anymore. Everything feels so different.?

Now what??

The first step is to lean into a new routine. Your old routine won’t work right now. Your job is no longer there providing structure and time limits. But routine is just as important as when you had a job - even more so if you feel a lack of purpose and productivity. The question is, how do you quickly establish a routine that will keep you feeling motivated and protect your mental health?

According to James Clear, Bestselling Author of Atomic Habits, “When it comes to building new habits, you can use the connectedness of behavior to your advantage. One of the best ways to build a new habit is to identify a current habit you already do each day and then stack your new behavior on top. This is called habit stacking.”

In short, if there is anything that is a constant in your day, attach something that isn’t constant onto it and build from there. Constant, predictable routines are called anchors. Does your spouse or roommate leave for work early? Hit the gym right after. Do you drop your kids off at school? Have a plan to read motivational book or look at job postings right when you get home.?

However, relying on others’ existing routines can be problematic. Others' routines can be unpredictable and at best there are only so many external things that can be used as anchors. One of the best ways to have an anchor is to create one yourself.?

There are a few ways to go about this. Anchors can be things like waking up, walking the dog, or eating breakfast. For example, you may decide, “right after I walk the dog, I will grab a cup of coffee and my laptop and apply for 3 jobs each day”. So many types of events can become anchors. You might hire a personal trainer at the gym to add that structure (plus the amazing mental boost of working out). Another idea is to schedule a recurring coffee date or walk with a friend. Even better if that friend or former coworker can remind you how loved you are and that you are an amazing employee. You could find a book club or zoom group that meets regularly.

These items can add a sense of structure, but what if you don’t want to depend on the schedule of others?

A body doubling service like Focusmate can really help in this regard. Focusmate is an online service that allows you to match with others via video for side by side working meetups. They offer 3 sessions per week for free, or a $5 per month membership plan (this article is not sponsored). After signing up for a date and time, you can either pick someone to partner with that session or choose to be matched with another person. Once the session starts, and after announcing your work goals to one another, you work side by side (but not interacting, just hearing and seeing each other work) for either 25 minutes or 50 minutes.?

Many in the ADHD community swear by body doubling as a huge help in being able to focus. According to this article by add.org, “body doubling is a productivity strategy used by individuals with ADHD to finish possibly annoying jobs while having another person beside them. This person is the body double. The body double’s duty is to keep the individual with ADHD focused on the task at hand to reduce potential distractions. It can work wonders for anyone, especially considering there is a defined start and end time time.”

Knowing that you need to be ready for this "meeting" may just be the boost and structure you need to get that sense of urgency and keep you motivated day-in and day-out in your job search. It can be successfully used as the deadline to finish your morning routine, or even as a way to ensure you continually stay on top of applying for jobs, daily tasks, chores, workouts, or even hobbies.?

2. Market Yourself in Out-of-the-Box Ways

Revamp your resume, apply for some jobs online, and magically the job will appear…right? Not necessarily, and it can be discouraging to think there is nothing else you can do. When the market is flooded, and it’s looking like the economy isn’t the best, your best option may be out-of-the box thinking.?

Think like a marketer and market yourself with gusto by asking yourself the following questions:

• What image are you putting out there on social media? Are your public social media photos and posts professional and in line with the work you are applying for??
• Can you post in a way that shows what makes you an amazing candidate? Or even write articles demonstrating your expertise?
• Is there a way to meet people who work for the company or industry you’d like to work for?
• Can you do work as a consultant or start a business doing what you excel at while you search for a job? You could even advertise your services on social media.
• Can you pay for an ad with your resume on social media targeting the CEO or hiring manager of your ideal company?
• Have you tried to contact headhunting or recruiting agencies directly?
• Can you send a handwritten card to the recruiting office of companies you’re interested in?
• How about writing your own posts and posting on social media (especially Linked-In which specializes in careers)? If a recruiter can connect with you emotionally (not just see reposts of others thoughts) and get a feel for your personality and communication skills, even better.?
• Can you reach out to your friends and family via Linked-In and let them know you are looking for work??
• Is it possible to attend your local chamber of commerce events or professional mixers for a professional association you belong to?
• Are there bosses or coworkers from your past you enjoyed working with? Ask them personally to be your reference. You never know if they might be hiring.?
• Is there a company you’ve always wanted to work for? Do some research and find out who their hiring managers might be. Reach out to them if you can.?
• Can you apply for city and state jobs that aren’t normally listed on job sites??
• Are there any career fairs you can visit??

3. Make the Most of the Time You Have Been Given

Do your family relationships or friendships need some quality time after working a stressful job? Have you always wanted to write a book, learn to draw, or finally redecorate your living room? Never had time to learn to surf or bake? Now is the time to schedule it in and get it done. Find what brings you joy and keeps your passion alive. Be a life long learner and connect with those you love. You could even try scheduling an hour of time dedicated to pursuing your passions right after applying to 3 jobs each day. Or use a fun class to be your anchor for a helpful routine.?

Never underestimate the power that passion brings to your life. It may lead you to new job connections or a new career. Or not. Either way, your enthusiasm for life will make you even more desirable as an employee, and, even more important, spark your own motivation to make your life the best it can be the opportunities that lie ahead.?

If possible, schedule in some daily (or longer) breaks from applying to jobs to prevent burnout and anxiety. Focus on all you have to be thankful for. You may even decide it's a good time to take a sabbatical and travel, start your own business or go back to school. Pray or meditate. Read inspirational books that can help you stay motivated.?

Most of all, take care of your soul and your heart. Because you are replaceable at a job, but never to yourself or your loved ones. Don’t forget - your job doesn’t define you. Who you are as a person, the people you impact and your character does. And that next job is just around the corner!?

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