13 Tips to Beat the Job Seeker Blues

September 23rd, 2019

Financial insecurity – or the possibility of it – can make you feel overwhelmed, which can lead to feeling depressed and unmotivated. The very thing you don’t want to feel when you need a new job! So how do you beat the job seeker blues? Here are 13 job search tips that can help you stay focused and motivated:

Remember that this too shall pass. Know you WILL find the right job. “Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Confucius
View rejections as getting you closer to a yes! If you’ve received 5, go for 5 more – one might be the job you’re looking for, but if you don’t keep going, you’ll never know.
Make a list of everything you know about you that is great – not just your training and experience, but your personality and things you have done that others have appreciated. You are so much more than your job!
Believe in yourself, it costs you nothing – and can cost you everything if you don’t. Know – really know – that not getting a job you apply for is not about who you are. Refer to #1, #2 and #3!
Spend time brainstorming ways to get by until you do find the right job. Here are some great side hustles: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/293954 and some ways to make your budget work for you: https://www.wisebread.com/5-budget-overhaul-tricks-for-the-recently-unemployed
Visualize yourself working at the job you want. Visualization opens your mind to opportunities you might not otherwise have seen and helps your brain work with you toward your goal.
Help others. There’s nothing like helping someone else to make us feel better – science says so. So, call a friend in need, volunteer (that can help you find a job too!), or share some inspiring posts on social media.
Be grateful for the little things. Whether you had a perfect pancake for breakfast, or a beautiful evening walk, try writing a quick daily ‘what I’m grateful for today’ note and put it in a jar. When you’re down, look at them to remind yourself.
Join job seeker groups. It helps to know you’re not alone, and it’s another great way to learn about jobs you might want.
Eat right, exercise, take mental breaks and schedule time for things you love to do. You’ll need your best physical health to ward off stress and stay energized.
Network! You’ll meet new people, discover new things, and can practice sharing your value. You might even meet your next boss.
Treat job-seeking like a job. Make a plan that includes all of the activities you know will help you find the work you want to do and stick to a schedule for working on them for a set amount of time each day.
Use every resource – tell friends and family you are looking, build your skills, talk with job support organizations, and make sure your application is on file with GreatWork!