Posted under Career Management on May 30th, 2007
I certainly don’t need to tell you that a job-search is stressful, especially if it’s being conducted from a place of unemployment. Most searchers go through a range of emotions including anger, anxiety, shame, and sadness. For some the roller coaster ride is the most difficult part of the entire process. The good news is that the ups and downs can be leveled out and the length of the ride reduced. Here are a few tips:
- Manage emotions. Anger, for example, is a normal emotion. When you feel anger, a good way to control and shift it is through physical activity, such as going for a vigorous walk or run. You can also set a time limit for how long you will allow the emotion before you set it aside and continue working on your search. For example, “I will feel sad for 30 minutes, then I will take a 20-minute walk and make three phone calls.”
- Control negative “self talk”. Negative self talk can be paralyzing. Listen to the things you say to yourself and reframe them. Instead of “I will never get a job in this economy,” reframe it to say, “I am employed full time in the job of locating my next fulfilling and satisfying position.” Or, “I’ve done it before, and I can handle this with ease.”
- Be consistent. This will eliminate a lot of the roller coaster ride. For most, this means developing a weekday schedule and maintaining some discipline around it. Set a goal and work backward. If your objective is to have three meetings per week, how many contacts must be in the pipeline 10, 20, 30? How many phone calls to get in touch with one contact 20, 40, 60?
- Work someplace else. If you tend to get distracted at home, consider working at a coffee house or library. Moving to a different location with people around is also good if you find your energy level waning.
- Celebrate your efforts as well as your successes, and be easy on yourself. If you find that you’re having trouble achieving your objectives, lower them until you can achieve them. Keep track, and reward yourself at the end of the week.
Posted by Michele Haffner
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billiesucher on 04 Jun 2007 at 11:03 am #
Michele, thanks for writing about this subject; you make excellent points. Another one to add to your list:
Do not delay in getting help from a competent career professional. It can save you days, weeks, even months of time and energy. Given the competitive nature of the market place, partnering with an experienced professional is such a gift to give yourself when you’re in transition. Great post!
Julie Bernardin, M.Ed. on 04 Jun 2007 at 12:01 pm #
There’s something powerful and exhilirating in “taking charge” of the next phase of your work life and determining where your values and talents will be best utlized and respected.
That “place” must begin during the search process. You’ll more likely find a work situation that recognizes and respects who you are, if your career search process incorporates self-respect and utilizes your talents right now.
On a practical level, it means utilizing the tips presented by previous bloggers, with a mindfulness that you are creating your next workplace as you seek it.
By the way, it’s not required that you always be in a good mood or always do it “right” or always choose the “hard things” over the easy ones. Quite the contrary!
Dale Kurow on 04 Jun 2007 at 5:37 pm #
Michele, thanks for your helpful article.
I would add that having a support network (besides hiring a career professional) is critical during a job search. Many clients feel isolated, watching everyone else go to work while they remain at home and in limbo. Friends, family, neighbors, gym-buddies, and other connections where you can get unconditional support are so important during a job search. The job seeker can practice networking skills first on these contacts and grow their confidence!