5 Ways to Stay Motivated During Your Job Search
No matter how ambitious and determined you are, job hunting can be a tough and draining process, especially if you're a working mom or parent with a full time job. It's easy to get discouraged when you've been sending out resumes and getting no response, or going on interview after interview with no offers. But it's important to stay positive and motivated throughout your search, so that you can land the perfect job for you.
First, let's look at some common reasons that job searches stall
Job hunting can be an emotional roller coaster, especially if it's been a while since you last went through the process.
It's not uncommon for job seekers to experience stumbles in their searches, and it's tempting to take those personally or start to feel bad about ourselves. But we need to stay objective and look at the underlying cause so we can address any issues and land you that dream job.
You're not getting interviews
If you're submitting lots of applications and not getting job interviews, the culprit is likely one of two things.
1) Your resume isn't getting the job done
Check out our blog for tips on how to create the best version of your resume and make sure it's getting the attention you deserve, or get the Resume Writing Masterclass eBook. A tailored resume targeted to the specific job description is often the secret sauce to getting your job application seen by the hiring manager.
2) You're applying for the wrong roles
Make sure you're following a strategy that is tailored to your strengths and experience rather than just shotgunning applications out there or submitting a generic resume hoping something will stick. If you need help, consider hiring a career coach or booking a strategy consult with us here.
If you're not getting offers
If you're getting lots of interviews, but no offers, it's likely that your interview skills need a little work. Lots of people struggle with interviews, even if they have great interpersonal skills. Having a solid strategy for your interviews is crucial to impress hiring managers. Make sure you're interviewing like a consultant, and check out this post for more expert advice and mistakes to avoid in order to best showcase your professional experience to land your dream job at your dream company.
If you need some help figuring out exactly what's going wrong, we offer interview coaching services as well as career coaching sessions for a variety of career topics. The right interview coach is often just the thing to help you with your strategy and improve your interviewing skills.
The problem is not necessarily you
For specialized fields, it can often take a little longer to land an offer just because the pool of jobs is smaller. Additionally, the job market itself can fluctuate creating sometimes unpredictable waves of opportunity and necessity. Make sure to stay on top of industry trends, optimize your LinkedIn profile, and practice your interview skills to build confidence.
Whatever the cause of stalled progress during a job search, there are plenty of options available to aid in finding that dream job.
Follow the tips below to stay motivated!
1) Believe in yourself
Believing in yourself can be difficult, especially several months into a job search, but it is an incredibly important part of taking control of your career.
Having confidence and believing in your work and your value helps you to stay motivated and open up new opportunities for growth. It can also give you the strength to make the tough decisions that are often necessary when advancing your career.
A confident mindset is a powerful tool, so don't underestimate yourself - let go of fear or doubt and let yourself shine! You are unique and talented, and only you truly know how to pursue what's best for you professionally.
Believe in yourself and trust that small steps taken consistently towards your goals will lead you where you want to be, because ultimately, nobody has as much influence over your success as you do.
2) Lean on family and friends
Don't be afraid to lean on your family and friends when you're feeling down. They can be the perfect source of encouragement and help keep that smile on your face. When life throws a curveball at you, they'll help you pick up the pieces and get back on track.
But if you don't have a personal ‘cheer-leading team’, don't worry! Hiring a career coach can be instrumental in helping you find the right direction in your path. A professional can provide guidance and answer questions, encourage you, and give you the confidence to take control of your life and make positive strides forward.
3) Be persistent
Staying determined and resilient can be a tough task when you feel like hope is going out the window. We know how disheartening it can be, but sometimes all it takes is that extra push to make something happen!
Our clients often find that right as they are ready to throw their hands up in frustration, something will come through and they'll be surprised with multiple offer packages to choose from.
Whether it's work opportunities or other career paths, never give up on yourself! What you're seeking could just be around the corner, and persistence is one of the most important skills that you can develop.
4) Set goals
Landing a job can feel like a huge and impossible goal that's out of your control, but it is achievable if you break it down into small activities.
Making sure to give yourself a checklist of activities you will do each day—regardless of the outcome—is one of the keys to success. This sets up a routine you are able to follow and provides focus on your task at hand.
Even if some days don’t yield the results you had anticipated, know that doing these activities each day will eventually get you where you want to be.
If you start feeling discouraged, give yourself credit for doing the tasks and focus less on the outcome. This will help you feel a sense of control over the process and will ultimately yield the results you're looking for!
5) Stay focused
Staying focused on what you want and going for it relentlessly is the essence of success. It's easy to be tempted by different options, to lower our standards, or to become diverted by shifting trends when we start to feel stuck in our job search.
But in order for us to achieve true success, we must keep going and stay focused on our goals. This does not mean that we cannot change our plan or ignore new opportunities. Instead, it means that we should remember what our objectives are and use them to inform all other decisions.
Lastly, don't stop applying just because you land an interview. Worst case is that you will have multiple jobs to choose from, and best case you will have another option if the first one falls through.
Put simply: stay focused and don't let distractions dilute your objectives - it is the only way to get ahead!
To sum it up
Every job search is different, and there isn't always a clear reason why things come to a standstill. However, by following the advice in this blog post, you should be able to overcome any hurdle you encounter.
Remember that you are the only one who can control your career; stay positive and persist through even the toughest times. When setting goals, make sure they are achievable and keep your focus on what you want.
If you're getting stuck on the interview phase, consider job interview coaching to get valuable feedback on your interview skills from another person, conduct mock interviews, and help you prepare for tough interview questions. With these steps, you'll be well on your way to success.
Read more on the blog for information about the best careers for working moms, and check out this page for our interview coaching service, resume templates, and more.
