Looking for a job during these tough times can be very stressful. Fortunately, Joel Zeff has tips to help minimize job hunting stress.
It’s hard to have fun during the job search. Your stress builds after each interview. The rejection letters cut away at your confidence. You start to worry about debt, bills and living expenses. What happens next? You walk into your next interview a bundle of nerves, tension and worry. Do you really think you are at your best?
It is time to stop worrying and relax. You will get a job. Stop letting the media feed your fears with the dreaded “r” word. Even during an “r” people work. Companies manufacture, distribute, sell, market, advertise, produce, grow, research, develop and purchase. Companies still hire smart, skilled, hard working employees, managers and executives. You will get a job.
1. Figure out what you would do for free.
The job search is the perfect time to reassess. Is it time to start a new career? Is it time to move to a different industry, go back to school, start your own business or work from home. This should be one of the most exciting times of your life. You are at the beginning of something new. Think about all the choices you have right now.
The best question you could ever ask yourself is, “What work would I do for free?” Be honest. Now, start working toward your answer and figure out how to get paid. Find a business that will let you seek your passion. If the business doesn’t exist, then create one. The truth is you don’t want a job, you want a passion. How do you get a passion? Create an environment of opportunity and positive support and you will be amazed by what you can accomplish. After you build the foundation, you will start to care. We only care about something if we have responsibility or ownership. Guess what happens when you care? You start to have passion.
2. Stay in the game and be Batman.
Have you ever seen a child dressed as Batman walking in a store with his mother? Believe me, there was an argument. The child wanted to go to the grocery store dressed as Batman. The mother, not wanting to risk embarrassment, wanted the child to wear normal clothes. Do you know why my 4-year-old dresses like a ballerina or a princess every day? A 4-year-old does not give up. The only way you are going to fail is if you quit, and anyone can quit. We quit little things all the time. Be warned, staying in the game during the job search is hard. You might have to work harder; learn something new; or get out of your comfort zone. If you stay in the game, the only thing you have to look forward to is success. And if that fails, just dress as Batman for the next interview. At least they will remember you.
3. Be in the moment.
In the moment is a very special place. We are in the present, and not wasting time in the past or worrying about the future. Be in the moment at home. Be in the moment during the job search. Use some of your extra time to reconnect and spend quality time with family and friends. In the moment means being focused and connected to what is happening right now. Listen to each other. Make eye contact. Engage in the communication process. You can only be one place at one time. When we run into problems, we are trying are splitting our focus and not living in the moment.
A former newspaper journalist and public relations executive, Joel started his own consulting business in 1994. His business initially focused on helping technology and telecommunications companies with marketing, advertising and public relations. As he came in contact with so many corporate cultures, he noticed the glaring need for employees to have more fun and reenergize their creative spirit.
To learn more about how to minimize job hunting stress during these tough times, visit Joel's blog. Job hunting doesn't have to be difficult and stressful. Contact Joel today to learn more.
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