By: Rob Porter
Job hunting can be exhausting, especially if you’ve applied to numerous jobs and haven’t received a single response. The truth is, finding a great job takes time, so it’s very important that you stay motivated and maintain a positive outlook during your job search. Here are some tips to help keep you going.
Set Goals
A great way to stay motivated is to set goals for yourself. As always, small goals work best for keeping your spirits up because they allow you to feel successful more often. In addition to this, your goals can act as a roadmap to follow, which will make you consistent and help keep you on track.
Try setting a goal of applying to five or six jobs per day. Here, you want to make sure you’re prioritizing quality over quantity, so take the time to read each job description carefully. Do the company’s values align with your own? Does the company offer the perks and benefits that are most important to you? When you apply to a job, keep a record that includes the company name, the date of application, and any other information that you might want to remember.
Keep in mind that the goals you set can relate to more than just how many jobs you apply to. Examples of other goals you can set are updating your social media profiles. Your LinkedIn is a great source for making new network connections, so set aside some time to clean it up. Another goal you might want to set is to research a certain number of companies per week. Treat your job search like a full-time job, and strive to achieve small goals throughout the day.
Keep Up with Industry Trends
These days, industry standards and practices can change at light speed. It’s important to stay current with new trends, as well as recent news and events, so set aside some time to read some articles or speak with some colleagues. A great way to keep up with the activities of your favorite companies is to sign up for their newsletter. Along with this, you can check out a company’s official blog for news and updates.
Facebook groups are also an excellent source of industry news, so be on the lookout for groups that are relevant to your career. Don’t forget about your professional network either, as even a simple social media interaction can point you in the direction of some major news. The bottom line is, having up-to-date knowledge about your industry may help set you apart from other candidates during the hiring process.
Attend Networking Events
Networking events can help to break up the monotony of a lengthy job search. For starters, an in-person networking event will get you out of the house and force you to interact with other people, which could lead to new connections and opportunities. At the very least, you might learn something new, or have the opportunity to catch up with network connections you haven’t spoken with in a while.
Build a Support Network
After some time, a lengthy job search can lead to negative thought patterns—especially if you haven’t gotten to the next step with any of your applications. It’s important to remember that finding a great job is tough, and you must always remind yourself that there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Having a support system in place can help immensely if you’re feeling down about your job search.
Surround yourself with people who make you feel motivated to succeed. They could be friends, family, coworkers, network connections; just about anybody. Check in with your support network regularly and share updates about your job search. If you’re having a rough day, talk about it. Kind words and positivity are often the push we all need to keep moving forward during difficult times.
Follow Industry Leaders
If you’re looking for an extra dose of motivation, try learning about the early careers of industry leaders. You might be surprised to know that even the most successful people have gone through their own fair share of struggles and hardships. It’s important to understand that you’re not alone during challenging times, and the success of others in the face of adversity will help you to press on.
Once you’ve found some industry leaders with inspiring stories, follow them on social media. You might learn a lot about how they approach certain problems, or their thoughts on emerging trends. In addition to this, they may offer insight into what companies are looking for in a candidate. Don’t be afraid to interact with industry leaders on social media—you might get a great response!
Get Plenty of Rest
If you’re treating your job search like a full-time job, make sure you get plenty of rest. Take regular breaks throughout the day, even if it’s just to stretch your legs or get a glass of water. After you’ve met your job search goals for the day, take some time to engage with hobbies, or visit friends and family. Do your best to get to sleep and wake up at the same times each day, as this will lead to increased energy levels and mental clarity.
During your job search, take a look at your daily goals from time to time. Do you need to make any adjustments? Would you like to branch out and try a new job search platform? Sometimes a little change or a fresh perspective is all you need to get your head back in the game, so get creative with your job search. Above all else, be patient—anything worth doing is a challenge, and your job search is no different.
Originally published on The Vault.
