Searching for a job can take you through a rollercoaster of emotions. On one hand, it’s an exciting time full of possibility and hope for the future. But it can also leave you feeling down and frustrated if finding the right role is taking longer than you expected.
If this happens and you find yourself stuck in a rut, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone – thousands of others are facing the same struggles. And, the good news is that there are plenty of things you can do to help turn your frustration into something positive and start getting the most out of every day.
To help you out, we’ve pulled together 10 tips to help you stay positive during your job search.
And if you’d benefit from some extra support in your job hunt, you might find it useful to sign up for global law firm A&O Shearman’s ReStart Employability Programme. Supporting people over 50 with finding work since 2017, this free 14-week course offers a mix of coaching, one-to-one mentoring, and practical workshops designed to equip people with the confidence and self-awareness they need to re-enter the workforce.
1. Set manageable goals
One of the easiest ways to avoid disappointment and frustration during your job search is to make sure that your goals are clear, realistic, and within your control.
While the ultimate goal will be landing a job you want, the process of getting there can be difficult. No matter how good your application is, you can’t control whether there’s a more qualified candidate or whether the company decides to stop hiring for the vacancy.
However, breaking down the end goal of landing your ideal job into smaller tasks can help you feel as though you’re making progress. For example, one week you may aim to complete a short course that’s relevant to the job you want to do and the following week you may aim to draft two cover letters and attend a jobs fair.
By steadily setting yourself small, achievable goals and completing them one at a time, you’ll hopefully gain a sense of achievement, boost your confidence, and give yourself a greater chance of landing the job you want.
2. Create a routine
Having a routine can help foster good habits and prevent bad ones. If you’re currently unemployed and searching for work, a lack of direction and purpose can leave you feeling lost and demotivated. It’s likely that you’ll have a fair amount of time on your hands too, so to avoid that extra time becoming a point of frustration, it’s often helpful to create a productive routine that suits you.
Although looking for work is important, try not to devote all of your time to job hunting. Instead, try allocating a few hours a day to your job search – whether to update your CV, write a cover letter, or gain additional experience or qualifications. Then, try to spend the rest of your time looking after yourself.
For example, aiming to get a decent night’s sleep and some exercise can go a long way in boosting your mood and improving your focus. This will help make the hours you do spend looking for work more positive and productive.
Not everyone finds the same routine helpful, so it’s up to you to decide what works best for you. And if the routine you have is no longer working for you, perhaps it’s time to shift things around to bring some fresh energy to your days.
3. Quality over quantity
While sending out as many applications as possible may feel like a good way to increase your chances of success, it can actually be counterproductive. It’s important to take the time to submit your best application for each role as it’s really a case of quality over quantity.
If you rush your applications, don’t include cover letters, or send out generic applications to multiple employers, you’ll be more likely to make mistakes and less likely to show why you’d be a good fit for the role. This ‘quick-fire’ process also makes it difficult to keep track of everything you’ve applied for, which makes following up on your applications tricky.
However, by focusing on quality, you’re less likely to overwhelm yourself and more likely to get a positive response from employers who can see that you really want to work for them. People also tend to feel more positive and hopeful about an application that they spent time considering.
Looking to transfer your skills to a new role after a career break and not sure where to start?
We can all feel a little rusty in job applications. ReStart empowers individuals of all backgrounds to polish their skills and confidence so they can successfully re-gain employment or launch a new career direction. Through a blend of virtual and in-person workshops, individual coaching from accredited coaches and 1:1 mentoring, you can tackle applications with a refreshed approach.
4. Spend time around friends and family
If you’re missing the social element of work, it can be helpful to try and think about other ways you can be sociable instead. For example, if possible, try to schedule regular visits with friends or family.
You could also try making new connections with like-minded people. You never know, you may make a new friend or even someone to help you on your way to your next opportunity. For tips, have a read of our articles: 12 ways to make new friends and 9 different ways to meet new people.
5. Don’t dwell on one job opportunity
Throughout your job search, you may come across one or more roles that really excite you. And while it’s important to apply for roles you’re passionate about, try to remember that there’ll always be other openings – the right job is out there somewhere.
Put time and effort into your applications, but don’t hang around waiting for a single response – apply for other attractive prospects in the meantime and keep your options open. Similarly, if your application isn’t successful, it’s okay to feel disappointed, but try not to let your feelings about a particular application stop you from moving forward. As the saying goes, sometimes you just need to get back on the saddle.
If appropriate, try emailing employers to ask for feedback on an unsuccessful application; this can help you improve future applications and drive your job search forward.
6. Do things you love
It’s common for people trying to find work to think that they shouldn’t have any fun in the meantime. However, this isn’t the case and the sooner you embrace the journey, the more enjoyable your job search can become.
Many people find themselves linking their job status to their sense of self-worth – but, by doing this, it can be harder to be kind to yourself. And part of this is allowing yourself to do the things you love.
A helpful way to structure your day can be to get up and spend the morning working on a couple of high-quality job applications. Once you’ve done this, why not put your job search out of your mind and use your afternoon and evening to do things that’ll make you smile?
It doesn’t matter whether you choose to get stuck into some gardening, bond with your dog, or complete a few DIY home projects, but the better you feel generally, the more motivated you’ll be in the hours you spend looking for work.
7. Consider volunteering
If you’re finding yourself feeling really frustrated and anxious with the amount of time on your hands, volunteering can be a great way to meet new people, learn new skills, and feel good about helping others.
You might be surprised by the range of opportunities available; from helping children learn to read and keeping an elderly person company to helping preserve the planet and caring for animals.
8. Try using positive affirmations
The things we want most in life are typically the things we have to work hardest for, which makes them even more special when we achieve them. But, as you work towards your goals, it’s normal to have a few doubts and worries about whether you’ll get there.
This is where it’s helpful to try and get your thoughts to mirror the positive practical steps you’re taking. If you’re putting maximum effort into landing a job, there’s no reason to believe you won’t – even if your mind is telling you otherwise.
If you’re used to assuming the worst about every situation, perhaps you could try changing the way you think. Start telling yourself that you are good enough for the job and you will find something.
While it may sound too good to be true, positive affirmations are powerful and have been scientifically proven to have an impact on the brain. If you use them enough, there’s a good chance you’ll develop a stronger sense of self-belief and awareness of your strengths.
Check out our article, 16 self-affirmations to remember, for ideas. While these apply to those looking for love, they can be a useful starting point for anyone.
9. Spend time around positive people
The company we keep can have a huge impact on our mood, which is why it’s a good idea to try and surround yourself with positive people so you can motivate and encourage one another.
It’s not uncommon to start feeling negative if you spend a lot of time with people who can never find a silver lining or who don’t appreciate the positive things in life. This isn’t to say that you should remove people like this from your life, but try to give more of your free time to people who make you feel good and uplifted, and less time to people who just want to dwell on the negatives – chances are you’ll feel better for it!
Looking to transfer your skills to a new role after a career break and not sure where to start?
We can all feel a little rusty in job applications. ReStart empowers individuals of all backgrounds to polish their skills and confidence so they can successfully re-gain employment or launch a new career direction. Through a blend of virtual and in-person workshops, individual coaching from accredited coaches and 1:1 mentoring, you can tackle applications with a refreshed approach.
10. Seek help if you need it
While the tips in this article should hopefully help to make you feel more positive about your job search, if you’re feeling particularly low, it’s a good idea to let someone know. There’s plenty of options for support out there – whether it be a friend or family member, a doctor, a counsellor, or a charity like the Samaritans or The Silver Line.
Alternatively, if you’re struggling in your job search, you might want to consider a career coach. To find out more, have a read of our article: 8 ways a career coach can help your professional life.
Or, why not take a look at global law firm A&O Shearman’s ReStart Employability Programme. Supporting people over 50 with finding work since 2017, this free 14-week course offers a mix of coaching, one-to-one mentoring, and practical workshops designed to equip people with the confidence and self-awareness they need to re-enter the workforce.
Final thoughts...
By staying positive, looking after yourself, and taking small steps each day during your job search, you’ll be happier on the journey and ultimately more likely to find your next job. As John Lennon once said: “ Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.”
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Did you find this article useful? How has your job search been so far? We’d be interested to hear about your experiences in the comments below.