We have many clients that we coach and they always seem to ask us the same question, "How do I stay motivated while looking for a job?" Quite a few of our clients come to us when they realize they are about to be downsized or let go. We also see many clients who have been out of work for a significant amount of time. Being downsized or let go is very demoralizing, and trying to stay motivated while searching for a job is even harder. Here are three tips to help you stay motivated.
* IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF GETTING HIRED. How long did you spend writing your resume - one, two, or three hours? Our writers spend up to 18 hours strategizing, drafting, revising, and editing each resume before the final product is sent. If your resume contains mistakes, it could derail your candidacy. A mistake could be something as simple as omitting to list all contact information or it could be more complex, such as not having keywords that match employers' needs. Take it from the pros; investing your time or money in creating a top-notch professional resume will deliver you a greater return-on-investment.
* CREATE A SCHEDULE AND STICK TO IT. By no means am I telling you to sit in front of a computer for 8 hours looking for a job; however, chances are you are used to working at least 8 hours a day. With this in mind, I suggest you think of looking for work as your "job," and designate several hours a day to your "new work." Visit prospective employers, send out e-mails, follow up leads, and update your social media profiles (LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter) during normal working hours. True, you may not care that your best friend from 5th grade is running a 5K race this weekend, but she/he might just work for a company that is hiring. If you have trouble planning and setting up your job search, we offer a one-hour PowerPoint workshop that will help you do so, and which you can access from the comfort of your home.
* ACQUIRE A HOBBY. Searching for work can be time-consuming, frustrating, and not immediately rewarding. You can spend hours filling out online applications without receiving a response. You could make 25 calls a day without landing an interview. Instead of letting your situation bring you down, spend some time doing something you love and which is work-related - play golf or join a book club, the former is a great networking tool and the latter will improve your knowledge and critical thinking skills. Energizing your mind and body are two great ways to stay motivated during this troubling time.