How to keep positive in job search

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified)
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General Questions and Comments

I have been seeking new opportunities for half a year with little sucess (I do have my old full time job). I just feel it's so difficult to remain positive after a spate of setbacks. Can anyone share their experience in how to keep positive in prolonged job search and how to keep plowing through? Thanks!

Submitted by Kevin Picton on Tuesday January 13th, 2015 4:49 pm

Hi Roger,
Unfortunately, the hiring process is in no way perfect.  Good folks get overlooked and poor folks get jobs they shouldn't.  Not always, but frequently enough.  This doesn't make it any easier to be on the losing side.  Hang in there and keep your energy up.  Eventually you will find something suitable. 
To increase your chances,

  • do you already have the interview series by MT?  It is awesome.
  • are you getting feedback on why you are missing out?  At what stage?  Are you able to make adjustments?
  • is there anything you can be doing (such as training, volunteering, etc.) to increase your skills and accomplishments in the right areas?

Good luck with your search.
Kev

Submitted by Roger Wang on Wednesday January 14th, 2015 1:15 pm

In reply to by Kevin Picton

Thank you, Kev and mrreliable, for the comments. I thought I have done almost everyting -- networking, informational interview, tailoring resume, referrals, cold call, more education, listening to career tools etc, and the job serach still doesn't gain any traction. I am in the annual conference of my industry and I used to network like crazy in the past. But I began to develop some doubts about the usefulness. It's a really hard process.  

Submitted by Lance Emerson on Wednesday January 14th, 2015 10:24 am

What you're doing isn't working. I'm not saying to completely abandon the methods you're using, but to get out of the rut you should be creative. Embrace new methods of searching for a job. If you've just been sending out resumes, start pounding the pavement. Nework. Make it a goal to come up with three or four new methods to search for a job.

Submitted by Shane MacQuarrie on Wednesday January 14th, 2015 3:08 pm

Over the past 5+ years, I was actively looking for a new position.
This entailed me improving my education (I have earned both my AAB and BSBM now), networking, going to job fairs, and interviewing at least once per week.
I would primarily focus on position that were of interest to me and also on those that would rely on my history.
In 2013 I finally purchased the interviewing series and tailored both my resume and my interviewing skills accordingly.
I had the resume workbook prior to this so my resume would almost always get me the interview, I just wasn't very effective in the interview.
I stepped into a role in February of 2014 that relied on my background and I have been very successful with it.
Next month I will be stepping into another new role (new site too) that relies on my passions and interest to be successful.

The point of this is to use all of the tools you have at your disposal and keep trying.
Do not let the frustration get to you, instead try to learn something from every stumble so that you can improve for the next one.
If possible, ask for constructive feedback from the hiring manager who says no. They give you some great pointers on how to improve.

Mac
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Submitted by JM Armstrong on Friday January 16th, 2015 2:55 pm

Here are three suggestions (& their rationale) that you might want to consider:

  • Action the Interviewing Series Product (Link to it here: https://www.manager-tools.com/products/interview-series)
    • That brings most people more confidence because you'll be more prepared.
  • Consider taking a break.
    • If you've honestly been working hard at it, in all of your spare moments then you might want to give yourself a few days or even a week to walk away from it. Insanity is doing the same thing over & over. So, maybe you need to relax & refresh your mind. And then go back to it full tilt.
  • This one might be hard to hear: Horstman's law, "How you feel is your fault."
    • This means that you are responsible for your feelings. And only you really know how to make a difference there.  Are you a people person? (High I? High S?) Consider joining a group of job hunters. Find a job/career center where you can see other people, face-to-face, who can help encourage you.
    • What about your support network? What friends & familiy do you have who you can enlist to check in on you & offer emotional support.