Dealing With the Job Search Blues
An Article by Sharon Graham, CRS, CIS, CPRW, CEIP
Graham Management Group
Searching for a job can be extremely frustrating in the best of
times and especially during seasonal slowdowns, when opportunities
are scarce, or simply when the process itself is drawn out. The
job search blues can invade you without warning at any time and
can completely drain you of your self-confidence. Before you know
it you may find that you have lost your energy, efficiency and effectiveness
in the search process.
The job search process has a way of making intelligent, confident
people feel like failures. If you start to feel like you are fated
to be unemployed forever, immediately raise a red flag. In order
to perform an effective search, you must stay optimistic. Realize
that you will get a job if you are patient, persistent, and force
yourself to keep at it. Here are some ideas to help you hang in
there when your optimism plummets.
Break the Process Down Into Achievable Steps
The job search process is often a long and agonizing exercise. The
secret to keeping focused is to break down the process into manageable
steps, which you can achieve every day.
Write out a job search schedule that includes what activities you
want to do and when you want to do them. Schedule half-day periods
each weekday to offer variety to your workweek. Each half-day can
then be fully dedicated to one activity. For example, Monday morning
could be dedicated to identifying leads from the newspaper and the
Internet, the afternoon may be focused on making networking calls.
You can dedicate half-days to a number of activities including scheduling
follow ups on prospects, researching companies for interviews, or
writing and sending out your “thank-you” letters.
Of course, to add a little spice to your fully scheduled days, a
job interview can be inserted at any time.
Make a “To-Do” List
A great approach that you may want to take is to simply write
a daily or weekly "to do" list. You can then make a check
mark against every item you have completed as you accomplish that
goal.
The list provides you with physical and psychological evidence that
you are making progress in your job search process. The more you
experience progress, the more positive you'll feel and therefore
the more motivated you'll be.
Choose Quality over Quantity
It is important to avoid letting the numbers get you down during
your job search. The quantity of jobs for which you apply is not
nearly as important as the quality of them. You only want to get
one job.
It is demoralizing to go to many interviews when you are ill prepared
and unsuitable for the role. What really counts is getting interviews
to jobs that are right for you. Concentrate your efforts on applying
for jobs that you really want and those for which you can best demonstrate
your suitability. You will be more satisfied with a few solid interviews
where you can confidently demonstrate your fit.
Join a Networking Group
Networking groups can be a great source of comfort during a long
job search process. Consider joining forces with other professionals
who are also in the midst of a job search.
Individuals in these support groups generally do not sit around
complaining about their predicament. Rather, they brainstorm about
each person's next step, share ideas, and provide leads to each
other.
This is a great way to keep your self-esteem in tact and to overcome
the terrible isolation that often accompanies a job search.
Reconnect With Friends and Colleagues
Networking can be a source of the blues if the thought of finding
and getting in touch with strangers isn't appealing to you. The
most important aspect of networking is nurturing your relationships.
The best way to do this is by getting in touch with people you already
know. You'll feel more comfortable reaching out to your personal
contacts and you will get better results.
You may want to seek out at least a couple of people who you would
like to reconnect with and take them out for a “catch up”
session at the local coffee shop. Your personal contacts will be
able to help you to brainstorm and come up with new ideas in your
job search.
Everyone knows someone. Even if your contacts do not work in your
industry or field, they may know someone who does. As an extra benefit,
employers often prefer to hire a person who has been referred by
someone that they know rather than a stranger.
Talk to Recruiters on the Phone
It is important to be proactive in your job search in order to continue
to stay optimistic. No matter how hard it is to take the first step,
you must pick up the phone and contact recruitment firms directly.
Candidates with initiative do not wait by the telephone. Rather,
they create their own opportunities.
Many recruitment firms specialize in certain areas. For example,
a firm may specialize in executive level positions. Another firm
may specialize in temporary or contract work. Some firms specialize
in an industry or field such as high technology.
Do not get discouraged if a recruiter does not have a suitable job
available at the time of your call. Recruiters always want to be
prepared so that they are well equipped to present a qualified candidate
like you when the right job order comes along!
Write Your Personal Success Story
The job search process can be a roller coaster ride with constant
highs and lows. If the blues are starting to creep back into your
life once again, try taking some time to writing a short “Personal
Success Story”.
Probe into your history and uncover an accomplishment. An accomplishment
is a circumstance or event that gave you a sense of achievement.
It is something that you enjoyed doing, did well and felt good about.
You can use the “SAR” format to write your personal
success story. Describe the situation you encountered and the problems
that needed to be resolved. Explain in some detail the action that
you took to resolve the situation. Finally, outline the result and
benefit of your actions. When you are finished, take the time to
read and enjoy your story.
During your next interview, you will have a great new personal success
story to relate to your interviewer!
Catch Up on Your Thank-You Letters
If you have not been diligent in sending “Thank-You”
letters to all the people who interviewed you, this is the time
to catch up.
Unbelievably, most job applicants fail to send a simple “thank-you”
after their interview. So few job applicants send thank-you letters
that you automatically stand out if you do.
Never burn your bridges. Even if you have not had your best interview,
it always makes good business sense to send a thank you card or
letter.
By sending a thank-you letter, you are imparting the message that
you are gracious. In addition, you are one again raising your name
in the mind of the interviewer.
Know That You Are Not Alone
Everyone going through a job search process encounters setbacks
from time to time.
At any one time, millions of others are riding the job search roller
coaster with you. These individuals are doing many of the same activities
that you are doing each day and going through the same highs and
lows as you are. They get calls from potential employers either
to set up an interview or to give them the bad news that they will
not be advancing in the process.
It is important to make sure that you do not let undesirable incidents
dissuade you from continuing the search. Being turned down is a
normal part of the process in the real world. It is a common experience
and expected to occur in the job search process.
Learn to Cope With Rejection
Rejection after rejection in your job search campaign can be traumatic.
Rejections can crush your confidence and seriously impact your job
search. Try to adopt a defence strategy for dealing with rejection.
Work hard on keeping a positive attitude on a regular basis by reading
the items that you have completed on your “to do” lists,
reviewing the accomplishments that you have listed in your resume,
reading your personal success stories, and giving yourself pep talks
often.
Try to take rejection in stride by realizing that each experience
can be a learning opportunity. If you give it your very best shot,
then you should be able to cope with the rejection well because
you know it was not due to any big mistake on your part.
Remember that every “no” means that you are one step
closer to a “yes”.
Ask For Help
Everybody needs help from time to time. If you feel your confidence
slipping, ask for help. Be honest and explain how you are feeling.
Sometimes, all it takes is an understanding person to listen to
your concerns, provide you with support and help you to regain your
momentum.
Don’t Quit
Do not ever let the rejection become so demoralizing that you’re
ready to drop out of the job search process. A wave of self-pity
is a normal reaction after a rejection, but it is a grave error
to give up.
Do not hide inside your home watching television until days roll
into months. This will only hurt you because hiring managers would
likely question the gap in your employment history.
The rhythm of a successful search includes a conscious commitment
to stick with it for as long as it takes. Even when you have had
a great interview, do not stop the search. In order to ensure that
you always have something to look forward to, you must persist.
Never give up on the process. It will happen!
Sharon Graham is a certified professional resume writer, employment
interview strategist, and author of Best Canadian Resumes. She assists
job seekers though her consulting firm Graham Management Group,
www.GrahamManagement.com and is executive director of Career Professionals
of Canada. You can reach Sharon by e-mailing info@GrahamManagement.com
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