Winston Churchill stated “success is the ability to go from failure to failure without a loss of enthusiasm.” When it comes to your job search, truer words have never been spoken.
The journey to a dream job is paved with uncertainty, excitement and rejection. But, at the end of the road you’ll find the fulfilling career you’ve been searching for; making the hardships all worthwhile. It can be easy to fall in a rut, especially when the journey takes you longer than you’d hoped. Don’t give up, instead, use these tips to keep motivated during your job search.
You’re Not Alone
Whether you’re just launching your career or you’re an industry veteran, there is someone out there sharing your job search struggles, so get to know them. A support group can help you vent, share ideas and best practices, and help restore your sanity when the going gets tough. Join a job search group, a meetup group of professionals in your field or start a group of your own. Additionally, just because someone is out of work, doesn’t mean they aren’t a great connection. You never know who might be a great networking resource for your career aspirations.
Leverage Rejection to Fuel Your Drive
Rejection letters always sting—whether you’ve received one or a dozen, it never gets easier. It may take every ounce of willpower, but avoid turning to negativity. According to a recent Huffington Post report, the reactive habit many individuals indulge in is to complain about not being hired which squelches motivation. Instead, use it to fuel determination. What if Steve Jobs had given up after being fired by his own company? Or Walt Disney after being told his ideas lacked imagination and had no good ideas? Don’t get down—get better.
Embrace the Learning Experience
The job search presents an excellent opportunity to hone your strengths and improve your weaknesses. But, you have to be willing to put yourself out there for constructive feedback. If you’ve been passed up for a position or if you’ve received a rejection letter, see what you can learn from it. If you had an interview that didn’t result in a job offer, contact the recruiter or hiring manager you worked with and thank them for the opportunity to learn more about the organization. Then, let them know how valuable it would be if they could share any feedback that may result in more favorable results for future interviews. If you simply received a rejection notice after an application, try reaching out to the hiring manager and ask for any information they can provide in terms of skills or experiences that are lacking from your resume.
Lean on Friends
Hanging with your employed friends might seem like the last thing you want to do. Don’t shy away, good friends are usually eager to help, they just need to know you’re open to it. Your friends and family may assume you’ve got the job search down pat and aren’t in the market for information about openings. But, by letting them know you’d appreciate it if they’d keep an eye out for open positions or networking opportunities, you’ll put yourself in a greater position to receive opportunities. Plus, oftentimes, a job referral from friends and family can give you that extra advantage over a candidate without an inside connection.
We know the marathon of a job search can be tough to endure. But, facing it with enthusiasm and positivity will likely result in landing a great job. The right job is out there, don’t give up. When you’re feeling low, take a break. Shift gears and take care of personal matters, volunteer or spend more time with family. Then hit the job search with a fresh perspective.