Tired of “click to connect” on LinkedIn and not getting any positive responses?
Looking and applying for jobs can be exhausting. Every rejection letter might lower your confidence and not hearing anything at all can be even more frustrating.
After everything you have done – preparing for interviews, tailoring your resume and cover emails, attending virtual fairs and still not getting anything – you can certainly be irritated, but I have you covered with a few tips on how to stay motivated during your job hunt.
- Set Realistic Goals:
Setting small and realistic targets will help you stay motivated in your job hunt, you can set daily or weekly goals and track your progress.
It is always good to give yourself targets to help you focus on reaching your goals.
2. Do your research
Research is one of the most important steps, start with making a list of which companies you want to apply to or what your priorities are. Research about those particular organisations or companies, learn about the background, requirements, skills needed and opportunities from the company. With this, you can get a clear idea of what needs to be done, if you match their requirements and if it is the perfect fit for you.
3. Make a list of your achievements
If you are de-motivated or have lost confidence, make sure to keep reminding yourself about all of your achievements. Start by making a list of them, letting it be minor or major. This will help you realise that you have dealt with these situations and you are capable of doing anything you want!
It is a wonderful way of boosting your confidence: looking at all your achievements listed in one place will make you feel happy about yourself and also remind you of the career paths you have crossed.
4. Reflect on what you’re grateful for
The best way to feel better after all the ups and downs is to remind yourself of all the things you are grateful for. Be it personal or professional, one of the easiest ways to stay motivated is to have a habit of writing down a small note to yourself saying what you are grateful about or thankful for every day.
5. Surround yourself with a supportive network
It is important to surround yourself with people who support you and motivate you. These are the people who lift you up and bring the best in you, the support they give you will mean a lot to you. The little push you need to do something is given by them and they also encourage you to go out of your comfort zone.
6. Put your career goals on paper
One question that you get asked a lot “Where do you see yourself in the next few years?”
Instead of just thinking of achieving something, make a to-do list on paper and note down what you have to achieve or your dreams. Write down where you see yourself in the next few years, with this you will start thinking about your goals and would feel like checking them off soon.
7. Seek constructive criticism from your friends
Your supporters can also help you out with your weaknesses. When you have friends and co-workers, they can see the potential in you and would always like for you to improve. They can notice and tell you what is wrong or if something needs to be changed to get to the best. Giving honest advice about you and your work will make you grow in every way, even while you are struggling.
8. Read about your field
Stay up to date about everything that is happening in your career field, learn about the industry and its developments. Know what changes have been taking place and how you can be a part of it or try to bring a change about something.
9. Be your biggest supporter
If you have planned about how things might go and then it doesn’t always follow through, it can be easy to lose hope. This is when you need to be your own supporter. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Encourage yourself the way you would like someone else to support you, do not let your confidence down. Don’t stop and keep going until you achieve your goal.
10. Take a Break
At some or the other point, it all gets very frustrating for one, you get burned out and tired of spending all your time on job hunting. It is better to step back and take some time off from that. Take a break and remind yourself that there are many other things in life or remind yourself about the important things in your life, like family and friends. You can go out spend time with them, go for a movie or relax yourself and get back to it. This will make you feel relaxed and you can re-focus on your goals.
Words by: Ruchi Sohni
Edited by: Ella Dayer