Last Updated on May 10, 2024 by Nadim Alamuddin
To sustain themselves in these unprecedented times, organizations have gone into restructuring and cost reduction. If you’re someone who’s been made redundant or has lost their job, you’re not alone. As a result, a lot of us are in the process of job hunting, which causes a mix of emotions, including stress and anxiety. Based on this, what actions can you take today to overcome the job search blues?
While there has been a few articles on this topic, this blog post concentrates on the actions that have worked for me in the past. I have recently lost my job and I practice these actions daily. You can too.
Table of Contents
Overcome Your Job Search Blues – Action 1: Create A Daily Routine
The first rule of thumb in a job search is to treat it as if it is a full time job. Because it is. So, in order to do so, you need to behave as if you’re just going to work, even if work is from home. Here’s what I do:
Work Hours
On a daily basis, my alarm is set and I wake up at the same time that I used to wake up for work.
Dress Code
I dress up for work, maybe not as formal as I used to, but still, I’m in a shirt and jeans. No shorts or pajamas, please, even if you’re working from home / on video. The way you dress and look will drive your actions and conversations of the day. Be professional; your career depends on it.
This is the same behavior as when you pick up the phone and call someone. If you practice smiling while you talk, you come across as a more positive person than if you don’t.
Plan Your Day / Week
I start my day planning it on my calendar. I schedule specific time slots for different activities I plan for the day. There would be time slots for networking, company research, e-learning, breaks, calls/meetings, interviews, etc. And, I also keep a “To Do” list.
Exercise
This is a key motivator and “feel good” element that should be scheduled within your day. Depending on where you live, this may be limited to the confines of your home, but there are many applications that can help you achieve it. There are many reasons to exercise. In this context, it makes you feel good and is an action to take regularly to overcome your job hunting frustrations.
Of course, your daily routine would be different and may include other activities. The bottom line is, it is important that you maintain a structure and you stick to it. So, this is the first action you need to take now to overcome your job search blues.
Overcome Your Job Search Blues – Action 2: Focus On Yourself
During the last couple of years, there was a drastic shift in the marketplace, no matter what the industry is. Before setting yourself to start searching for new opportunities, it is important to do a bit of reflection and brainstorming.
Professional Reflection
Are you still interested in your industry/sector? Do you have the relevant skills for your next opportunity? If you had to change, how would you go about it? Would you take on a contracting vs. a permanent role? Would you relocate for the right opportunity?
You need to do a self-assessment of all these before you set out on trying to find the next opportunity. To do so, you should be able to find many resources and organizations that can help you with it.
Learn New Skills
There are many opportunities to learn new skills, especially if you need to change industry or move to the next career level. This is the time for you to invest in yourself. This is an action you can take today to overcome the job search blues. It is a rewarding experience and you can update your CV/resume and LinkedIn profile to make you more marketable within your industry.
Set SMART Goals
Goal setting is a discipline that we all need to adopt. It simply gives us direction and helps us achieve our objectives. Make sure your goals are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-bound). Setting goals is another key action you can take today to overcome the anxiety of job searching.
Focus On What You Can Control
During the job search, we ultimately get a lot of rejections. Most rejections will not let you know why you didn’t get the job. It could be completely unrelated to your application or your qualifications. So, focus on the things you can control, not the things you cannot control. Just move on.
Take Some “ME” Time
During a job search, there will be times when we do feel overwhelmed and anxious. It’s always good to take some time off, disconnect, reflect, brainstorm, recharge. I sometimes like to take a drive, or stroll at the beach. Other times, I write blog posts to fuel my passion for transferring knowledge. Each of us has their own ways to disconnect.
Spend Time With Family & Friends
Your biggest supporters are your family and friends, especially while you’re searching for your next job. Spend time with them. Do Zoom / Team Meeting sessions. You can even explore networking opportunities with them. You never know who they know that would have an open role for you!
Overcome Your Job Search Blues – Action 3: Maintain A Positive Mindset
There are many ways to maintain a positive mindset. Here are some ideas that will keep you going during your job search (and beyond).
Believe In Yourself
During the job search, it is easy to get discouraged, frustrated, anxious and stressed. What’s important to keep in mind is that you have what it takes to secure the next job. If you stop believing in yourself, this will show in your attitude, your demeanor and behavior.
Be Grateful
One of the biggest lessons l learned during the Coronavirus pandemic is not to take anything for granted and to appreciate all the good things we have. It is important to reflect on all the good things we have. A good exercise is to practice gratitude as part of your daily routine. You can think of three to five things to be grateful for every morning or evening.
Define Your “Why”
You need to know why you do what you do day in and day out. What element burns deep within you that motivates you to get up in the morning? Once you know what your Why is, this should be a constant reminder to stay your course and address your job search anxiety. Here’s a post you should read on this topic: “Have You Figured Out What Your “WHY” Is Yet?“
“Pep” Yourself Up
This is something I practice all the time. When asked “how are you?”, my answer is always “Fantastic!” with confidence and a smile (even if I only feel ok). You don’t know how that “attitude” makes people feel. It is contagious. That’s why the more you push yourself into feeling pepped up, the more positive you will feel. And the more positive you feel, the more positive people you attract.
Read Personal Development Books
There are many books that concentrate on mindset. And, as I have written in a separate post, it’s also quite important to read daily. Here are some books I would recommend:
- “Awaken The Giant Within” by Anthony Robbins
- “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey
- “The Secrets of The Millionaire Mind” by T. Harv Eker
Watch Motivational Videos
Some people prefer visualization over reading and that’s OK. So, here’s a video for you to chew on…
Oprah says it all…this applies to all walks of life, at all stages of our lives.
Conclusion
The 3 actions you need to take now to overcome your job search blues are simple to implement. You just need to do them. Of course, you will have some better days than others, but I believe you WILL get a job so long as you don’t quit. Stay strong, stay healthy, stay positive. I believe in YOU. You CAN do this.
A Status Update To Keep You Motivated…
By practicing some of the above techniques and being perseverant in my job search, I have been fortunate to secure a new job. You can too. Sure, it’s easier said than done, but there are jobs out there. You just need to do whatever it takes to get in front of the decision makers. To your success!
Thank you for reading this post. If you have more insights or actions that have worked for you in the past, why don’t you share them with us? Please leave your comments below.
Here’s some related posts I’d recommend you reading:
- Overcome Your Fear Of Change Using 5 Quick Fixes
- 7 Keys You Need To Overcome Your Struggles
- Top 5 Strategies To Overcome The Feeling Of Overwhelm
If you’d like to start a business online, here are a couple of posts for your reading pleasure:
- What Is Preventing You From Making Money Online?
- From Zero To Blog In 5 Steps
- Best 7 Strategies To Increase Organic Search Traffic
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