Any job search can be challenging, emotional, time consuming, stressful and depressing, which is why keeping it positive is the most important asset to achieving success. A job search made positive is necessary to keep you motivated with the strength and determination needed to continue along a career path that can sometimes become a very rocky road. It is a positive mind set during a job search that produces the resilience to continually rise up from a stumble or a fall along the way. A positive outlook will also ensure you never lose sight of your value to a potential employer even when it seems that no one else is recognizing the talents you possess.
Dale Carnegie said, “Develop success from failures. Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success.”
“Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.” Winston Churchill
Focus on success not failure to stay positive! Here are a few more tips for a job search made positive:
- Go outside every day and take a breath of fresh air. Enjoy nature, the beach, snow covered hills, flowers, trees or decorated shop windows on a city street. A change of scenery can re-energize and keep you feeling positive.
- Volunteer. All studies confirm volunteering produces numerous positive psychological benefits. It is an opportunity to connect with others, gain valuable knowledge and impress a potential employer.
- If you feel that you require emotional or professional support, take action fast. If you feel tired, angry or discouraged give yourself permission to take a break. Stay clear of alcohol or other depressants.
- Consider returning to college or university to develop new skills. Life should be one continuous learning exercise increasing knowledge and boosting self confidence. Further education is also great to show on a resume.
- Celebrate every success, every accomplishment every step of the way. If you have acquired a job interview, celebrate! If you have received a new connection providing the opportunity to apply for a position, celebrate! If you acquired a testimonial or a new certification, celebrate! With each small success you are that much closer to the big celebration of a new job.
- Avoid negative, pessimistic people! It is imperative to surround yourself with positive, supportive, driven and energetic people who strive for success and are willing to provide proactive guidance and support throughout your job search process.
- Network, network, network! Building positive, meaningful relationships with other professionals presents more opportunities resulting in job search success than any other means. Get out there and introduce yourself!
- Engage in inspirational and energetic activities. Join a gym, play a sport or become an active member of your community.
- Ask for support from your closest friends and family. These are the people who know you and can reiterate to you the many exceptional qualities that you possess, providing you with the inspiration needed to pursue your job search through thick and thin and stay positive.
- Be realistic about a job search and the amount of time you will need to invest in your search. Success will not be achieved without a great deal of patience and determination.
- Invest in your personal appearance. A new suit and a visit to the hair salon will help you feel confident, reassured, generate good first impressions and above all keep you feeling positive!
Finally, SMILE! Even if you don’t feel like smiling, do it anyway. Nothing is more positive than a smile. It will brighten your day and if shared with someone else, will brighten theirs. A simple smile can help you to keep your job search a positive one.
For further information on job search strategies contact Martin Buckland at Elite Resumes, Certified Job Search Trainer, Co-Pilot Executive Coach, Certified Professional Resume Writer, Certified Professional Branding Strategist, Certified Job and Career Transition Coach, Certified Employment Interview Professional.
As a member of Career Collective, I’m pleased to share the following professional job search advice provided by our members:
@GayleHoward, Job Search: When It All Turns Sour
@chandlee, Strategy for Getting “Unstuck” and Feeling Better: Watch Lemonade
@heathermundell, Help for the Job Search Blues
@heatherhuhman, 10 Ways to Turn Your Job Search Frown Upside-Down
@KCCareerCoach, You Can Beat the Job Search Blues: 5 + 3 Tips to Get Re-energized
@WalterAkana, Light at the End of the Tunnel
@LaurieBerenson, 3 Ways to Keep Your Glass Half Full
@resumeservice, Don’t Sweat the Job Search
@caereersherpa, Mind Over Matter: Moving Your Job Search Forward
@WorkWithIllness, Finding Opportunity in Quicksand
@KatCareerGal, Job Hunting in a Weak Job Market
@keppie_careers, What to do when your are discouraged with your job
@DawnBugni, It’s the little things
@ValueIntoWords, Restoring Your Joy in Job Search
@BarbaraSafani, Making Job Search Fun (Yeah, That’s Right!)
@GLHoffman, How to overcome the negativity of the Job Search Blues
@ErinKennedyCPRW, Dancing in the Rain–Kicking the Job Search Blues
@expatcoachmegan, Dealing with Job Serach Stress: Getting to the Source of the Problem
@jobhunt.org, Just SO VERY Discouraged
