Talking Job Search Resiliency

A highly competitive job market in 2017 may leave a lot of people frustrated that they can't find their perfect position. This is where job search resiliency comes into play as candidates may have to wait a long time before landing that top-notch job that edifies their professional life. Examine a few ways to change your mindset while on the hunt so you don't lose your focus.

Don't Take It Personally

Unemployment isn't a personal thing. Thousands of Americans, on any given day, face unemployment for various reasons. Perhaps a company downsized or automated your job. Maybe you chose to move to a different city because you wanted to be closer to family and you don't have any connections in the city where you now live. Instead of building frustration, build your network and your skills for success. Plus, this strengthens your job search resiliency in the face of longer odds in a strange place.

Shift Your Passions

You don't have to find a job that you're passionate about in order to succeed. You might turn down some very lucrative offers in the name of trying to find your one true place. There's nothing wrong with saying you have a job that pays the bills, feeds your family and builds your nest egg. You don't have to let go of your professional passions altogether, but shift your perception until your ideal job comes along later. There's nothing wrong with shoring up your job search resiliency by earning a paycheck until something better comes along. Your career is a marathon, not a frantic sprint.

Eschew High Expectations

The higher your expectations, the harder you fall when you fail to meet them. Don't dream of a particular position in the first place to practice your job search resiliency. Instead, have generic criteria for a job and see what happens. Think of jobs that pay good money, challenge your mind and keep you interested in the work as opposed to you desiring a job at Google in the PR department so you can have the legendary free organic food for lunch.

Rely on Others

No one is an island. Rely on others, especially your support network, when you feel tension and anxiety about finding a job. Your friends and family love you no matter what and back you up when you need them most. Job search resiliency may come from the people who love you and want you to succeed versus any professional connection or networking contact.

Display Brutal Honesty

An uncommon display of brutal honesty may win the day in an interview. This refreshing approach is that you are completely transparent when someone asks you about your greatest weakness. State your weakness in the cover letter and just get it out of the way from the get-go and see what happens. You may find yourself feeling cathartic and even willing to work on that greatest weakness as you talk about it openly and honestly.

Even though you may not land a dream job for a long time, think of your job search resiliency as a life lesson that strengthens your soft skills. As you become great at one thing instead of good at everything, someone notices your drive and determination before investing in you.

Photo courtesy of Ploymint HQ at Flickr.com