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Stay busy, motivated during your job search

Recently I was at a party enjoying myself when someone asked a question, “So what do you do?”Once she got hold of the fact that I am a motivational speaker and consultant, she asked me this question: “How do I stay motivated while looking for a job?”Turns out she has been unemployed for almost a year and has tried everything and nothing is working. Her discouragement was palpable. She is not alone: Many people are challenged to find jobs in today’s market.

So how do you stay motivated? Here are a few
tips:Keep busy. No matter how down you feel, don’t hang around in your bathrobe watching soaps and drinking coffee until noon. Get up at your regular time, get dressed and washed up, and do something.Keep in mind that the job search is your “job” while you are unemployed. This means from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. you are calling, interviewing, revising resumes, etc.After hours do something totally unrelated to your job search that is just for you. Take a fun class like tango dance lessons; read those summer novels, even if it’s not summer. The diversions will keep a balance in your life and can also provide great conversation starters during interviews.Take a couple of college-level night courses. You’ll not only hone your skills, or pick up new ones, but you never know whom you might meet there.Get physical exercise. Go to the gym, walk and bicycle. Exercise is a proven antidote to depression.Remind yourself that each interview is worthwhile. Even if you know within the first few minutes that you don’t have a fit, you can learn something and you get to practice. The practice may help you do a better job when a better opportunity comes along.Join Toastmasters Club; it’s a good way to practice speaking and meeting others. If Toastmasters is not for you, volunteer your time at a university, chamber of commerce or United Way, to name a few. These organizations are full of contacts who can provide you with leads and referrals.Write thank-you notes to everyone whom you interview with. Ask for their business cards and send them note by e-mail. Then send handwritten notes as well.Absolutely consider taking some temporary work, not just for the money but to keep skills current. I’ve heard many stories of temp jobs becoming permanent. This is an excellent way to get your foot in the door. Target companies where you want to work. Temp jobs will also help you know which jobs you like and don’t like.Once you are in the company, you can apply for vacancies. A good pitch might be, “Hire me on contract for 90 days; if it doesn’t work out at the end of 90 days, you haven’t lost anything.”Remember:Your attitude is your most important weapon.There are people around you who care and want to help you.You are not alone; there are others looking for work as well.You are still a valuable person, even if you don’t have a job.Stop the negative thinking. Believe you shall overcome.”Faith is to believe what we do not see; and the reward of this faith is to see what we believe.”– Saint Augustine