How to Stay Motivated During a Job Search
For many people, job searching can be a frustrating and overwhelming process. Though it’s crucial to maintain an optimistic outlook while sending your resume and perfecting your next interview, it can be difficult to stay motivated when faced with setback after rejection. Fortunately, keeping your head up is possible if you follow these seven simple strategies while job seeking.
Set Specific Goals
One of the most surefire ways to stay motivated during a job search is to set specific, measurable goals. Break down the larger process into smaller steps. With your list of criteria, you can easily create smaller goals and benchmarks as you inch closer to your end goal. Create a measurable timeline and hold yourself accountable to meet those deadlines.
Focus on the Process, Not the Result
A key piece of advice for job seekers is to maintain a focus on the process of job-hunting, rather than the result. Each conversation and new interview is an opportunity to gain experience, learn more about the company and the hiring process, and even make meaningful connections. By instead keeping an eye on the immediate outcome, it can be easy to forget to think of the entire journey.
Reach Out for Professional Support
Though it can be comforting to take advice from friends and family, it is important to remember that not everyone has the same tips or experiences in job searching. Reaching out to a professional career coach can provide you with the right advice for reaching your ultimate goals. Having a professional to weigh in on your resume, cover letter, and interview proceedings can be crucial as you navigate the job search process.
Remove Distractions
It can be difficult to stay focused and motivated when distraction is present. Keep job-seeking to set “business hours” during the day. If you are working online, try a simple tool like HocusFocus or StayFocusd to block off certain distracting apps or websites. Additionally, opting out of notifications can help keep other interests from diverting your attention from your goal.
Take It Day by Day
Though it is important to have a long-term goal in mind, it is incredibly helpful to break down the job search process into smaller, more manageable parts. Focus on making the most of the day’s work versus what you want to make happen weeks or months from now. Even scheduling a weekly check-in with yourself to make sure you’re reaching small goals and staying on top of your tasks can certainly help.
Celebrate Even Small Victories
It is important to take time to celebrate the small wins along the way. Whether it’s completing a task on your list for the day or nailing the followup questions on an interview, it is just as important to celebrate the milestones in between the larger goals. This will help keep you energized and in the right headspace to continue pursuing your dream job.
Look Out for Opportunities
Sometimes, a job search is not about sending out as many applications as possible. Rather, it can be about being mindful of the different opportunities that can arise during the process. That means staying open-minded to the different roles and careers as you meet and connect with new people in your network.
Bottom Line
Staying motivated is a key piece of job-seeking, and the process doesn’t have to be so overwhelming. By breaking it down into smaller parts and remembering to celebrate the milestones, you can remove some of the initial anxiety as you pursue the job of your dreams. Keeping focused on the process and removing distractions will help ensure you keep your momentum and make the process as enjoyable as possible.