A job search can make you feel like you’re on an emotional roller coaster. There’s excitement and hope, frustration and stress, and everything in between.
If and when your search takes longer than you’d hoped it would—and there’s rejection along the way—it becomes difficult to maintain a positive attitude. But it’s important that you do, as your attitude will likely impact the outcome of your job search.
Here are four ways to keep a positive attitude during a job search:
1. Don’t Focus on the Negative
It’s easy to get down on yourself when you’re looking for a job. You perpetually feel that you are not good enough, especially when the job offers aren’t exactly flooding in.
Just know that the right job offer (the one that is meant for you) is coming your way and that you have to be positive in the job search process. If you feel sorry for yourself, your negativity might prevent you from doing everything you can to find a job.
If you’ve received a few rejection letters from various hiring managers, find a way to boost your self-confidence before you get too down on yourself.
Asking for feedback after a job rejection can set you up for success in landing your next opportunity. Here’s how to ask for feedback after a job rejection.
Realize that there are probably dozens of other qualified candidates who are not getting hired for the position either. Be sure to recognize your strong suits, such as your solid workplace skills, your ability to work as part of a team (or independently in a remote job), and your impressive work experience.
2. Embrace Change
You’ve been job hunting for months, and you haven’t had a single offer. It might be time to take a look at what you’re doing—or more importantly, what you’re not doing.
Do you have an updated resume and cover letter? Are you customizing each and every job application for each new position that you apply for? Take a look at what you’ve been doing and see where you can make some modifications to your process as a job seeker. It might mean the difference between being offered a job—or not.
3. Don’t Worry About Pleasing Others
When you’re sitting down with a potential boss, you will probably go the extra mile to get them to like you. The most important thing you need to do when you’re job hunting, though, is to be yourself.
If you are overly complimentary, it can come across as being fake. So be positive, say good things when possible, but be true to yourself and your feelings as well.
4. Don’t Give Up
If it feels like you’re making no progress, or you keep hearing “no,” it can easily discourage you from continuing in your job search.
But make it a point to keep on going, even when you don’t feel like it. Or, take a short break and continue once you feel your attitude is in a better place.
Written by: Jennifer Parris
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