How to stay motivated and enthusiastic during a job search?

Question

Unemployment is harsh!

Answer 1

A job search is VERY tough! Unless you are the world's greatest optimist, you'll need help staying motivated and enthusiastic.

I'm not sure how things work in other countries, but if you are in the U.S., you have several options:

* Go to your state's local Employment Office. It's where you register for Unemployment Compensation. They should have counsellors to help you with your resume, identifying potential employers, have job listings you can see, and maybe even offer classes, and other support.

* Find a job search support group. Sometimes they are free; often they are low cost ($5 or $10 for a meeting). You can probably find a list and/or some free sessions through your state's Employment Office.

Job search support groups that aren't run by the state Employment Office are often in a church basement or community center, run by a career coach type of person.

Go to at least a couple of meetings. There will probably be a short program on networking (critical skill!!!) or resumes or something relevant. Then there will be time for sharing and networking.

It may feel uncomfortable at first, but everyone else will be in the same boat. You'll be able to tell everyone what kind of job you are looking for, ask about different employers, get advice and contacts.

As time goes by, people get jobs and drop out - that's a nice thing to see. And, they may be hired by an employer who needs someone like you. If you've developed a relationship with the person who got hired, they will remember you when they see a job opening.

* College career centers. If you've gone to a college in the past (just attended, not necessarily graduated), visit the school Website. They may have opened their career center to "alumni." They may be able to help you with your networking, even your resume (maybe).

They'll probably also have directories of other alums by company, even people who have offered to "mentor" a fellow alum who wants to work for their employer. They'll probably also have job listings for you to see, and they will typically be less public listings than you'd find at an Employment Office or even at one of the big job sites.

* Company "alumni" groups. A variation on the college alumni networking. If you worked for a large employer in the past, see if there is a group of former employees who help each other out with jobs and personal connections at different newer employers.

* Volunteer. Since you can set your own schedule right now, why not schedule some time to volunteer for a cause that is important to you? You'll feel better about yourself, and you'll be helping the world become a better place, if only for a few hours. It can also be an opportunity to expand your network - people you know and who know you. So, if you look at it selfishly, there's a whole lot in it for you.

Good networking works both ways - help others in addition to asking for help. Be a giver as well as a taker. Polish your networking skills and expand your network, and the next time you need a job it will be easier to get. This may even be your last job search!

Hang in there. It's tough, but you'll survive. You WILL get another job, a good one! Just keep trying.

Good luck!

Answer 2

To stay motivated and enthusiastic during a job search is do the best that you can and always remember that where one door closes another opens.

And after you put in the applications don't let it just stop there call at least once a week to check on your application this lets the employer know that you are interested in the job.

And when you get an interview, when the interview is over write a Thank You note thanking the interviewer for there time.

Answer 3

well....before i start giving my input, i would like you to know that after i graduated, this was the technique i used till got into a job. Make job search as your primary job. I would wake up every day, and be busy with applying online, or going through papers and what not. Make it a daily routine so that by the end of the day...you can tell yourself...."I did this today". Job search is the initial step for your success. It is part of your career. Dont you agree? We search for jobs, we get jobs and then we shape our career. So its part of the formula. So dont get disheartened by no responses. Keep yourself motivated. Also make use of the extra time in hand to pursue something that would be beneficial to your career. Like reading books on project management or people skills or a computer program or anything of that sort.
You will get a job soon and I wish you all the best.

Answer 4

I find looking at the big picture helps. The big picture is that I have something to contribute - the smaller steps in that picture is that there is a job out there that will partner with me to fulfill that contribution. If 100 jobs turn me down that's OK - they weren't meant to be my partners in my quest. But someone out there will partner with me to fulfill this drive within me to contribute to society and make a difference. I just have to persevere in my search until I find that lucky company.

Answer 5

Painful and very difficult and depressive. But the positive thing is that you keep learning everyday.. Add to your experience personally and don't forget them. Keep focussed. That's the way you keep moving.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

Why not generalise a bit:
How to stay motivated and enthusiastic - period.

Answer 8

always keep a smile on when you go to the interviews and be prepared when they let you down dont give up!eventually you will find your right job that pays you well and that you are happy to keep it happened to me

Answer 9

I need a job

Answer 10

Just keep on searching and do not loose hope,,,because "where there is a will there is a way",,,