Staying positive during a job search is difficult. 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?
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.
But how do you stop worrying and focus on staying positive during the job search? How do you have fun? Well, I am glad you asked. I would be worried if you didn’t.
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.
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.
Always be open and flexible to change.
People don’t like change. Change involves moving stuff. Here’s an example: Ask someone to help you move to a new house. Watch their face crinkle up and eyes dart upward, as they search for an excuse to help you move. Change is going to happen every single day. During the job search, you will have to move stuff, literally and figuratively. How you deal with change determines your success, productivity, creativity, passion and stress. During the job search, you will have to deal with a tremendous amount of change. Focus your energies on the changes that really affect your success and happiness.
Take responsibility for your passion, energy and happiness.
Happiness is a choice. Unfortunately, when we give control to friends, parents, prospective employers, or others, we are never very happy. Would you, as a normal, sane person, really make the choice to wake up in the morning, comb your hair, brush your teeth and say, “Man, I am bitter, frustrated and angry. I can’t wait to get started looking for a job today.” No, you wouldn’t. Yet, people do that every day. We have no control over many issues during the job search. We always have control of our attitude and how we react to those issues.
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.
Create opportunity and positive support.
We all want the same things from our jobs: opportunity and positive support. Sometimes, we want different opportunities. We may want the opportunity to be creative, to be a leader, to help people, or to make more money. Then, we want someone to say, “Thank you” or “I appreciate you.”
Figure out what kind of opportunity you want from your new job. Make sure your new employer understands what you need to be happy. During your job search, you still need opportunities. If you want the opportunity to help people, think about volunteering. If you want the opportunity to be creative, start a blog. Opportunities will come from the initiatives you take now.
Hopefully, these tips will inspire you in staying positive during the job search. Don’t be afraid to try something new. Find what works best for you. Most importantly, relax and have fun. Don’t let other people or situations determine your energy or passion. Find more tips on staying positive during a job search and beyond in Make The Right Choice.
Joel Zeff is a national workplace expert, speaker and humorist. His first book, Make the Right Choice: Creating a Positive, Innovative and Productive Work Life was just published by John Wiley & Sons. For more information on his book or speaking engagements, call or fill out the form below.
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