Dealing with the emotions of the job search

You have a plan, you have applied for several jobs, perhaps even had some interviews, but still you haven’t received a job. This situation is stressful and discouraging you.

As a Career Coach, I spend a lot of time helping my clients manage the job search. First, we conduct a needs analysis, creating a profile of their target role and target organizations. Then, we work on their professional branding documents, crafting a CV and a cover letter, and optimizing their social media profile in order to position themselves perfectly for the role they apply. After that, we create a development plan to allow them to reach influencers in organizations and define smart goals to allow them move forward. However, apart from these steps, we often need to address the emotional part of the job search.

Feeling depressed and down due to the change in career or job loss is not uncommon. Many job seekers are unsure about how to carry on looking for a new role, while others are even devastated from the layoff. Employees with a stable job may feel that their professional development has ceased now, while others may experience job insecurity, which can make them panic and live in uncertainty, as the immediate needs of feeling safe, secure and financially stable are being threatened.

Ensure that you allocate time for your emotional health while you are searching for a job.  Keep your confidence levels high!

Remember though, that your unique characteristics, values, skills and passions go beyond your job! Remember that your unemployment status is not a permanent state of affairs, but rather it is something temporary. Even if your situation sometimes may feel endless, through perseverance, you will get the job you target! Staying positive and confident in your skills will allow you to attract more opportunities despite the setback. Don’t let your job status define you!

Effective job search strategies

 

Now more than ever, the competition has increased significantly, and hence, it is crucial to ensure your job strategies are aligned to your values, being consistent and expressing clearly your motivation behind the job search. Consider important questions such as: what kind of role are you looking for? What are you passionate or excited about your new role? Try to write and present your professional story and experience in a way that shows how your career progression has led you to where you are today, and how the hiring manager can benefit from your skills and talent in dealing with the current challenges in the organization. By presenting your smart stories in a coherent way reinforcing your experience and key skills, you will be perceived as an authentic, professional and continuous learner who ready to drive change and deal with the challenges of the new role to the benefit of both the organization and his / her professional development.

Search smarter, not harder

In times of crisis, job-seekers can panic and start applying to every single role they find. Resist this urge. Focus on quality rather than quantity. Aim to send few personalized applications per week and ensure you take the necessary steps to prepare for the roles you really want to get. More specifically, start with conducting some company research, learn about the working environment and culture, read some reviews from current employees, connect with potential decision-makers, and last but not least, tailor your CV and cover letter for that specific role. A tailored job application will bring better results than several applications sent using ‘easy apply’ button on LinkedIn. 

Be kind to yourself and towards others!

Focus on yourself by doing things that makes you feel good, but offer to support other people in need. This will not only stop you focusing on your own current situation by keeping your mind occupied, but also allow you to show gratitude and realize the things you can be grateful for. There are opportunities such as volunteering for local and non-profit organizations where you can gain confidence, demonstrate and improve your leadership and communications skills. Moreover, this will expand your network, helping you to find those “hidden” jobs on the market and open up opportunities that you are hoping for.

By following these tips, you will rejuvenate your motivation, helping you to become more confident and mentally equipped to success in your job search and land your dream job. As Steve Jobs argued, “The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.”

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