That period in-between jobs is often hard to get through. You have sent your application to a few companies you truly want to work for, and some that you just want to try. You don’t know when you’ll hear back from them. Or you’ve already had the interview and don’t know if you’ll make it to the job offer. You might even have experienced being turned down.
What can you do during a job hunt when it begins to feel discouraging?
Here, you’ll find a list of insights and practices that may help you deal with and move past job search discouragement.
Tips on How Not to Get Discouraged When Applying for Jobs
Discouragement is a valid feeling. Although it’s natural, getting disheartened during your job search won’t lead to any positive outcome. It will only affect your mental health and motivation. To stay positive, the following are things you can do to prevent job search anxiety.
1. Reframe Your Mindset
Every setback is an opportunity to learn. All your past experiences contributed to who you are right now. You need to actively choose to focus on what you can control rather than reacting to things you can’t affect.
Practice Gratefulness
As we embark on our professional journey, we often become our own critics. Despite stumbling today, remember what you’ve achieved in the past. Don’t forget to be grateful for all the opportunities you uncovered.
Remind Yourself of Your Accomplishments
When you’re starting to feel discouraged, think back to all of your achievements. From big accomplishments to small wins, remember that you’re capable of success. Think of your skills that are needed in your industry. Remind yourself of what makes you valuable to your potential employers.
Your value doesn’t diminish as soon as you are without a job. Instead, know your worth and identify your strengths.
Replace Negative Perspectives with Positive Ones
Negative thoughts can be difficult to drown out. Instead of trying to erase them, focus on replacing them with uplifting contemplations. This can be a great way to motivate yourself no matter your situation.
Replacing your negative thoughts with uplifting contemplations can be a great way to motivate yourself.
- I’ve accomplished far more in the past.
- This setback is temporary.
- I am a smart, skilled, knowledgeable, and valuable employee.
- I have supportive friends, families, and professional colleagues.
It is essential to cement how you perceive your own identity. You’ll be surprised how quickly negative thoughts can leave your mind.
Steven Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People offers a great tip to try. Replace reactive language with proactive language. For example, instead of saying, “I’m so frustrated with that person!” focus on what you can control and say, “I choose to see the positive side of things.”
Don’t Compare Yourself to Others
Comparison between you and other professionals will only magnify your perceived weaknesses. You may find yourself belittling your own accomplishments without taking into account the different contexts of your career.
Understand that everyone has their own career journey and timing. Comparing yourself to more successful people only leads to negative personal opinions.
2. Build a Healthy Lifestyle
When you experience setbacks, it’s tempting to stay in bed, watch TV all day, and not attend social gatherings. No matter how comforting these activities seem, they will only make your mental health worse. During these times, it’s critical to maintain a healthy lifestyle – and stick to it. It might be difficult at first, but you can try to follow these small steps to greatly improve your overall well-being.
Improve Your Physical Wellness
One great way to build resilience is to engage in physical exercise. This can also strengthen your body and reduce the stress you feel from waiting during your job search.
When you establish fitness goals, you can also use exercise as a way to bring a sense of purpose and accomplishments to your day-to-day. Furthermore, it encourages social interaction, which can immediately alleviate feelings of loneliness and isolation. If you can, partner this with the right diet. Eat more fruit and vegetables instead of unhealthy food options.
In addition to exercising and being mindful of your food intake, make sure that you get enough sleep. Sleep is often underestimated when it comes to overall physical and mental health.
Do Something, Get Busy
Why not try going for long walks in the afternoon? This might seem like a simple act, but filling your time with activities that are therapeutic for you can significantly improve your mood and alleviate stress. Here are other things that you can try:
- Talk to a friend
- Read a book
- Meditate
- Spend time with loved ones
- Join a community initiative
Related Article: Work-Life Integration: Strategies for Thriving in a Set Work Schedule Environment
Stick to a Routine
In a time when your world is full of unknowns, having a structured day can bring a sense of control back to you. Ticking off items on a to-do list can help you feel accomplished and fulfilled, even when you haven’t heard back from that interviewer.
Here are a few things to consider when creating routines:
- Start small
- Be consistent
- Set daily goals
- Take breaks
For example, you can begin by making your bed every morning. Already, you’ve fulfilled something before your day even started. Incorporate a rhythm even into your job search routine, and you’ll remain motivated and on track. Small habits done consistently lead to great results.
3. Discover the Power of Connections
Job seekers often meet countless peers in the field, including recruiters, interviewers, managers, workmates, and professional acquaintances. Don’t waste these networks; maintain a healthy relationship with everyone you meet.
Keep Your Networks and Colleagues
Old contacts and colleagues may be able to recommend job opportunities or connect you with the right people. To boost your chances, expand your network.
- Attend job fairs, conventions, and networking events.
- Join professional groups and organizations.
- Utilize social media like LinkedIn and Facebook.
- Volunteer in industry-related activities.
- Visit online forums.
- Engage in community activities.
Related Article: Mental Health Matters: 6 Ways to Support Mental Health at Work
Engage with the Right People
Aside from your professional networks, don’t forget your friends and families. Reconnect with your loved ones. Share your experiences and ask for valuable advice. They may be able to offer tips or lead you to new opportunities. Aside from that, you’ll have the comfort of those who care about you.
During these trying times, what you need is a friend – not the company of despair.
Minimize Toxicity
There may be those within your connections who are bad influences. You don’t have to immediately cut them down. However, minimizing these connections can open doors to better relationships.
Seek out like-minded people who can offer support and positive feedback. A healthy circle can make you feel good about yourself, but also give you honest advice when you need to hear it.
4. Find Your Meaning and Purpose
While people often stay in jobs just to get by, true fulfillment and meaning gives you inner peace. Once you find the true meaning behind your work, you’ll find the drive to get past unemployment, persevere during this difficult time, and actively find success in your endeavors.
Harmonize Your Life
As you discover your meaning, you may also uncover meaninglessness within you. It could be a bad habit like swearing, a substance or gambling addiction, excessive anger even on social media, or binge-watching on Netflix.
Whatever it is, it’s time to prune these negativities and attune yourself to the right frequencies. Focus on the things that bring positivity to your life. In the process, try to realize how you bring meaning to others’ lives too.
Think of Your Next Step
As you build your routine and reprogram your mind, look for the next door of opportunity. What’s your next step?
Taking a break might be the best way to reevaluate your values and goals in life.
- Find ways to hone your current skills. For example, work on your communication skills to become better at your job.
- This might also be the perfect opportunity to learn new skills if you want to shift your career focus.
You’re Not a Failure, You’re Just Doing It Over Again
Everyone is terrified of failing. However, even the greatest entrepreneurs, biggest minds, and successful athletes had to experience loss. Yet, they still rose to greatness. Steve Jobs was a college dropout. Colonel Sanders didn’t start KFC until he was 65. Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin by accident. Michael Jordan was removed from his high school team.
These greats wouldn’t be greats had they not experienced setbacks and persevered. After all, everyone falls down. However, what sets these people apart is how they got back up – no matter how often life brought them down.
GET BACK UP WITH ACS PROFESSIONAL STAFFING
Find your inner drive with ACS Professional Staffing. We understand the difficulties of employment. That is why we dedicate our time to placing individuals on the right path. We have positions in engineering, IT, architecture, data analytics, managerial positions, and more waiting for you.
With us, you’ll get a partner that can push you to greater heights. Give us a call! This might be your sign for your next job interview.
