How to Stay Motivated As You Job Hunt

No matter who you are or what kind of job you’re hoping to find, the job search process is a frustrating one. In fact, it can be downright demoralizing, particularly as the weeks go on and you’re still left searching. However, adopting a negative attitude only hurts your chances of finding a career opportunity you’ll love. Here are some ways that you can stay focused and positive, even in the midst of a job hunt:

Don’t try to do too much

If you go in telling yourself that you’re going to apply to 15 jobs each day, you’ll quickly become burnt out and frustrated with yourself. But if you set more manageable goals, you’ll feel proud of your progress and can use that momentum to keep going. One person can only do so much every day; make sure that your expectations for yourself are realistic.

But do something each day

With that said, consistency is key when it comes to making progress as you search for a job. If you take long stretches of time off, you’ll find it hard to make any progress. Make it a point to do something every day, even if it’s just sending an e-mail or updating your resume.

Understand that it takes time

It doesn’t matter how talented or experienced you are, job searches take time. In order to keep a positive attitude, you’ll want to be realistic about just how long a normal hunt takes. If you’re expecting to find a new job in two or three days, you’re in for an unpleasant shock. It’s normal for a job search to take weeks or months. That’s why networking events and learning new skills matter.

Stay organized

If you’re applying to dozens of jobs, which you should be, it’s easy to get confused about when you sent things out, and to whom you sent these materials. This makes following up hard. A good job hunt is methodical. Make a spreadsheet where you note what you applied for, when you submitted your materials, the contact at the company, and the status of the application. This allows you to follow up more effectively, and it gives you a better sense of what you have pending at that time.

How did you manage to keep a positive attitude during your job hunt?

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