Job searching is a difficult task, made all the more grueling by the very personal nature in which you are being evaluated for each job. Every "no" feels like it's aimed at you, and after a collection of rejections you might start to feel like you'll never get a job. Finding the motivation to keep job searching becomes a chore in itself. Here are a few tips to help you keep up your job-search confidence.
First, review your accomplishments every day. Employers are looking for people with positive, enthusiastic attitudes to enhance their businesses. They're not going to want to hire droopy, depressed people who are afraid to talk about themselves. Read over your resume, look through your certificates, and keep a notebook of your best accomplishments. Whenever you remember something you've done that makes you feel proud, jot it down in the notebook. Review these accomplishments before sending a cover letter and before attending an interview. A positive attitude can be felt even in a cover letter. Remember to wear a smile!
Find a support group. A group setting not only increases your list of contacts, but the group setting can provide you with new job search ideas and stories of job search success. A group can be a great source of inspiration. Sometimes when job searching you feel like you're all alone. The first thing you'll find in a support group is that you're not alone. Here at VCCS Employment Services, we run workshops each month. These are great opportunities to find others who are job searching just like you.
If a support group isn't your thing, find a motivational partner. This is someone you can talk to about your job search, proofread your cover letter, commiserate with you and celebrate your success. Find someone who will hold you accountable for your job search and won't let you give up even when it gets hard. This person could also be job searching, and you could lean on each other for support. If you're having trouble finding someone, come to VCCS Employment Services and talk to our counsellors. There's a whole team of job-search cheerleaders here for you.
Perseverance. The hit movie The Help is based on a book by Kathryn Stockett. Kathryn's book was rejected by literary agents 60 times. What if she'd given up after 8 rejections? Or 23? Or even 40? After all, 40 rejections would be pretty hard to take. Finding an agent is no different from finding a job. What if in your job search I told you that you would get the 47th job you applied for-- would you quit after applying for 15 jobs? After 26? Probably not. The right job is out there. You have to keep applying to find it. Try this: for every "no" you get, send out 3 more resumes. Keep looking for opportunities, keep applying.
Volunteer. This is also a great way to increase the number of people you know, and establish more connections, grow your support network. It also increases your employable skills, giving you something relevant to add to your resume. Come in to VCCS Employment Services and look over the many volunteer opportunities posted on our bulletin board, or have a look at
Fourinfo.com. The right one is there for you.
Remember you are your own life manager. How would you say your manager is doing? Are you happy with your current job prospects? Would you manage someone else's career direction this way? Probably not. Probably you would be encouraging, supportive, and not take any excuses to quit! Remember: you are worth the same effort! If you're having trouble remembering this, go back up to the top of this post and start following the tips. Sometimes we are our own worst enemies. Be your own best friend.
Sometimes finding a job really is about
who you know. Talk to your family, friends and neighbours. Let them know you're job searching. They might have heard of an opportunity that's right for you. This also helps you establish a support group, a network of motivational partners. Look for work opportunities everywhere.
Above all else, don't give up.
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Read more about Kathryn Stockett's inspiring story of perseverance: More magazine
