Stay Positive and Keep Searching!

In a lot of ways, trying to find a new job is a game of chance. While you can raise the odds in your favour by using your resources effectively, you still need the right person to see your resume at the right time. Sometimes you can make that happen without too much effort – but sometimes it seems unreasonably difficult. Most of us have, at some stage in our careers, been in a situation where landing a position or even scoring an interview seems impossible.

When you’re struggling to get a foot in the door, it’s so important to stay positive. It’s all too easy to become frustrated and miserable, but a negative attitude certainly won’t do you any favours. Keeping your chin up with a good attitude will only improve your chances of securing the role you want – but it’s easier said than done.

If you’re struggling with job search disappointment, here are a few ways to help you stay positive.

Shift your focus for a while

While dedication and persistence is often the key to landing a job, obsessing over your employment situation isn’t the way to go. If you put all of your energy into job seeking and base your emotional welfare purely on the results, you will quickly burn out. Make sure that you’re allowing yourself to enjoy the good things in life; watching your favourite movies, catching up with friends, dancing or playing sport. Give yourself room to breathe. If you can take your mind off the job search for a little while, you’ll dissolve some of your tension and stress and feel much better for it. When you return to your job search, you’ll have a clearer mind and a far less frazzled approach.

Remember the things you’re grateful for

A discouraging or difficult job search can easily drop you into a negative mindset. Fight the urge to lower yourself and your mood. A nice way to stay positive is to remind yourself of the things you’re grateful for. Start with the obvious ones – your family, friends, health, or home are good things to be thankful for, but don’t stop there. The more things you can list, the better you’ll feel about your life. By adjusting your perspective even a little, you’ll find that you can approach your job search – and your life – with a much more positive attitude.

Realise that you’re not alone

Struggling with unemployment is an all too common situation. It helps to know that you’re not alone. Talk to your friends and peers who have been in similar situations; they might be able to offer advice, or they could just provide a much needed sympathetic ear. Either way, take solace in the fact that there are many, many people who have been in your situation before – and a lot of them were able to come out of it stronger and better off than they were before.

Find alternative ways to earn income

Any stress you might be experiencing, in any area of your life, will be only be compounded and intensified is you are struggling with financial difficulties at the same time. Make the most of any opportunity to bring in extra cash. Sell off the stuff that you rarely use, consider downsizing your car or home, look for freelance work or even offer to do some manual work around your neighbourhood. The internet is wonderful for marketing your skills or services for free. Use your creativity to find ways to earn alternative income – any opportunity for bringing in cash while you’re unemployed is worth pursuing.

Keep yourself busy

When you’re used to working full-time, it can be hard to adjust to all the free time you have on your hands when you’re not employed. It’s important to keep yourself busy. Dwelling on your problems can lead to a spiral of negative thoughts and despair. To keep your morale high, make sure that you’ve always got plenty to do. Treat your spare time as an opportunity to get around to doing those things you’ve been putting off while you were too busy. Obviously you’ll still want to dedicate time to your job search, but accomplishing non-work related goals will be a big boost to your confidence and outlook. Exercise. Meditate. Reconnect with family and friends. Try out a new skill set, or volunteer your time for a cause or movement. Achieving personal goals will keep you feeling purposeful and motivated until a position opens up.

Being unemployed can be a big blow to your self-esteem, but a job search is always far more difficult if it’s paired with a pessimistic attitude. While it’s not easy to stay positive after weeks or months of unsuccessful job seeking, keeping yourself confident and purposeful will help your make it through until the right employment opportunity presents itself.