Staying Positive During the Job Search

What do you do to stay motivated while looking for work? Studies show that after a certain amount of time, many people just give up on the search and let fate take over. It is easy to feel that way, especially since the June 2010 unemployment numbers showed that the number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks and over) was unchanged at 6.8 million or 45.5 % of unemployed persons.
Regardless of this report, after months of sending in resumes and networking, if nothing seems to pan out, what can you do to maintain your sense of direction? How do you wade through the emotions and keep a positive attitude? There are many suggestions that can help your physically and emotional well-being. Here are a few I came up with:
1. Maintain Normalcy: Follow the same routine that you did as when working. Get up at the same time and go to bed at the same time. Follow a schedule and focus it for the job search. Set up a work area with all the necessities such as folders, resumes, cover letters, pc, writing tools, calendar, phone, etc.
2. Exercise: Take a walk, use the Wii™ that you may have purchased a few years ago, blow the dust from the yoga or Pilates DVD’s. While you are at it, make sure you are eating and resting properly.
3. Socialize: Meet friends, talk on the phone and continue to socialize. Let your family and friends know of your job search and ask for their help.
4. Volunteer: Find something that you like and are good at and get out there.
5. Set Goals: Set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely) goals that focus on job related activities. This may include planning and making telephone calls or emails, follow up, revising your resume to each job description, researching companies, preparing anticipated interviewing questions and questions to ask potential employers, blogging, setting up social networking sites, learning new skills, etc.
6. Stay Positive: Try to maintain a positive attitude by focusing on your positive traits and skills.
7. Network with family, friends, acquaintances.
8. Attend networking events and meetings: Attend networking functions in your area of expertise or professional group(s). It is also helpful to attend networking events offered to the unemployed. There are many other unemployed professionals attending and each one is a potential friend and networking contact.
I’d love to hear what you do to keep your spirits up.