Try These Ways to Bounce Back from a Setback

Many job seekers become discouraged while seeking employment in a rough economy, and they wonder if the job search will ever end. You can bounce back from a setback and secure employment sooner than you think by considering some simple advice.

Develop a More Positive Attitude

Many people who experience a career setback may not realize that their attitude is adversely affected from the experience as well. If you manage to land an interview, a poor attitude and lack of confidence can permeate the atmosphere and ruin your chances of getting hired. Focus on maintaining a positive attitude as you continue your job search to overcome despondency and bounce back into another position.

Ponder Your Career Path

Sometimes, the best way to bounce back into meaningful employment is to take an honest look at the career path you are on. Is your current career path the best way to land the type of position you seek? Is there an entry-level position available that can pave the way for the job you truly desire? Do you want to remain in the same industry? Consider career counseling to help you make realistic, achievable plans for your future.

Expand Your Skills and Education

Research all of the skills that can help you become a more attractive job candidate, and aim to develop them to improve your chances for gaining employment in your field. Take a few training classes, read books and utilize computer programs to develop the competitive skills that can set you apart from other job candidates. One of the best ways to bounce back into employment is to pursue higher education. Consider attending college to pursue a degree in your industry, and you will become qualified for more lucrative positions. As you develop more skills and gain knowledge, your career confidence will grow as well.

Work on Your Resume and Interviewing Skills

If you want to get hired soon, you must update your resume and improve your interviewing skills. Optimize your resume by using keywords from the job description to sail past the clutches of applicant tracking systems. Perform a mock interview with a friend or professional associate to gauge your current interviewing abilities and identify ways to improve. Sell yourself in the interview by focusing on sharing qualities, skills and experience you possess that make you compatible for the position. Be ready to deliver an explanation if you were fired from your last position, and tell the interviewer how you learned from the experience, bounced back and changed for the better.

Expunge Your Record

Some professionals find it difficult to find work after being laid off from a long-term job because of a minor offense on their record, and some employers toss applications that do not pass a background check. If you have small offenses from the past on your record, you can get them expunged to expand your ability to find job opportunities overnight. When a charge is expunged, it is no longer found through an employment background check. Many misdemeanors can be erased after seven years, depending on the state you live in.

Keep in mind that many business professionals experience setbacks and recover successfully. In a competitive job market, taking a proactive and positive approach can help anyone bounce back from unemployment even better than before.

Photo courtesy of jesadaphorn at FreeDigitalPhotos.net