When you're looking for a job and not getting results as quickly as you like, it can cause you to doubt yourself and it can almost drive you insane. Finding a job is hard work. You have to be dedicated and willing to persevere, in spite of rejection. If you're becoming discouraged or frustrated in your job search, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Looking for a job is a job. Just like a job, you have to create some sort of schedule. It's easy to get distracted by other responsibilities and keep putting things off that before you know it, a week has gone by and you haven't spent any real time on it. Remember to treat your job search like a job. Develop daily, weekly and even monthly goals. Set aside blocks of time for career development and make sticking to your schedule a priority.
Keep your skills current. Especially if you've been out of work for some time, it's important to keep your skills and knowledge current. You can take a few classes or attend a seminar. At the least, try to read magazines, blogs and other publication that deal with your industry in order to be aware of changes and new trends. An employer will want to see that you are still fresh and ready to work on day one.
Make your resume stand out. There are many ways to make your resume impressive. From using keywords to including links to your social networking profiles, there are more tips than I can possibly list here. One easy way to be sure that your resume catches an employer's eye is instead of saving the document as “{FirstName.LastName} resume,” save it as “{FirstName.LastName} resume for XXX company.” This will make it clear that you want that specific job and aren't sending out the same resume to every company.
Meet three new people every day. When you're out of work, networking becomes crucial. If you don't already have a large professional network, make a commitment to meet at least three new people every day. If you don't feel comfortable with social encounters or feel that your network is already large enough, try simply working on three relationships each day. Maybe you could send a message to someone you haven't spoken with in a few months or schedule a lunch appointment with a past colleague. Whatever you decide, don't neglect your network and focus all of your job search efforts on scouring job boards and sending resumes.
Don't assume everyone knows what you know. One of the tricky things about human nature is that once we have mastered a skill, we assume that everyone else has too. When you're trying to market yourself, take inventory of the special skills and knowledge you have to offer. You might not think that they are important, but not everyone knows what you know. This also comes into play in the workplace, where we become so accustomed to our jobs that we forget that others may not be familiar with them at all. That's why it's important to explain your past jobs and give clear details about your previous responsibilities.
Keeping your sanity during an extended job search can be a challenge, but with the right outlook and a clear plan, you can find a job without losing your mind.
What other things do you think help move a job search forward? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
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