Author: Liz Frome
Job searching can be tedious, agonizing, and sometimes really discouraging. After spending hours upon hours perfecting resumes, customizing cover letters, and receiving “Thanks, but no thanks” emails, you probably feel like throwing in the towel.
Here are some reminders to help you keep going:
1. You Can’t Compare Yourself to Anyone Else
It’s really easy to feel discouraged when you see someone around you land an awesome new gig while your search has been, well, fruitless. But the reality is, you don’t know what their job search was like. All you’re seeing is the end result—they got a new job.
The fact remains that, just as you and they are different people, your job searches will be different, too. So, rather than beat yourself up when you think people are moving faster than you—focus on your own career goals.
2. You Can’t Lose Confidence in Your Abilities
When your efforts continue to be met with silence and rejections, it’s easy to start doubting yourself and your skills. But once you start believing you’re not qualified for the positions you’re going after, the search will only get harder.
Give yourself credit for the experience you do have, the things you know, all your past accomplishments, and your shining strengths. And if you’re struggling to remember these as the “no” emails pile up, make a list.
3. You Can’t Take Your Eyes Off the Goal
I bet you’ve heard the saying “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” more than enough times. And yes, Wayne Gretzky may have been talking about hockey when he said this, but little did he know he was giving career advice, too.
Yes, there are times a recruiter or professional contact will reach out to someone with a job opportunity and just place it on the person’s (lucky, lucky) lap. That does happen. But you certainly can’t count on it.
If you quit applying for jobs, you’re not going to get one. And then you’ll be right back where you started when you decided you wanted to look for a new job in the first place. So keep that personal mission in mind every time you think about quitting this process. You’ve got this!
4. You Can’t Let This Process Consume You
We hear a lot about work-life balance these days—and while this means different things for everyone, the same principles apply to your search, too. Looking for a new gig is work in itself, and you shouldn’t let it take up all of your free time.
Sure, you may have to spend some of your weekend hours submitting applications, but if you spend every waking minute working at this, you’ll drive yourself crazy. Remember that your job doesn’t need to be your life—so neither does your job search.
Next time you find yourself growing frustrated or antsy, take a deep breath, and move onto a new activity. Treat yourself to a good meal, a good movie, or even a good splurge.
So, if you are really ready to go somewhere new, keep at it. When you land the next job, you’ll be glad you didn’t quit. And while these four reminders won’t make the hunt for a job fun, per se, they will hopefully make it a little less painful.
Someone Somewhere is looking for exactly what you have to offer.
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