Staying Positive During the Job Search

Finding a job is not an easy task. Building a stellar resume and cover letter is hard enough, and once you've gotten those ready, you have to embark on the actual job search by reaching out to companies you'd like to work for, hunting through online job boards, networking and generally putting yourself out to get attention. It's imperative that you learn to stay positive as you inevitably face rejection during the process.

Any job search is a lot of work, and it can quickly exhaust you if you're sending out applications and hearing nothing but "no" in response. Worse, sometimes you hear nothing at all. Even a company that is interested in you may take weeks to get things moving on its end. One thing that can help you stay positive during this trying time is creating and maintaining a computerized spreadsheet, or a log on paper, to keep track of the dates you apply to or communicate with each company you consider. That way, you'll know when it's an appropriate time to follow up, or to just move on.

Another thing you might consider is forming your own support group. This isn't nearly as demanding as it sounds. As you prepare for the job search, alert your family, friends, and former co-workers you're close with from your last job. Not only are these the people most likely to offer support along the way, these contacts may end up leading you to your dream job. You can use social media, scheduled conference calls or a short weekly email to update the group on the status of your search.

Remember that searching for a job can burn you out as quickly as a regular job. While you may need to devote a lot of time to the process if you're unemployed, it's still important to remind yourself to take regular breaks and step away from the hunt. Set a timer to remind yourself when it's time to take a walk, call a friend, or read a book. Tell yourself that work eventually comes to the determined, and you are allowed to enjoy the rest of your life around you while you're looking.

What works for one person may not work for you. If you're feeling a little down during your job search and none of the previous recommendations work, remember that there are a lot of online resources where you can find suggestions that might better help you speed the process along.

Finding a new job is no small feat. When you hit a period where you feel discouraged and frustrated, know that you're not alone. Learning ways to remain positive is just one more part of the job search that you have to focus on. In fact, it may be the among the most important.

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