6 Tips to Keep Up the Momentum in Your Job Search
Whether job searching for the first time or re-entering the workforce, job hunting can be exhausting. Discovering your dream job, sending applications, and attending interviews can be daunting. And if you get ghosted by employers, it can feel like all that effort was for nothing.
In this article, we’ll look at five tips to help you avoid losing steam and stay motivated during your job search.
How to find motivation during your job hunt:
- Create an aspiration list
- Set realistic targets
- Have a supportive network
- Make a brag file
- Make a social impact
- Connect with a recruiter
Create an aspiration list
Get your job hunt started by making an aspiration list. This list should include at least five organizations you want to work for. These organizations should excite you. These are the kind of companies you should be writing down. If you could choose to work anywhere you wanted, where would it be?
Next, jot down what it is about these places that excite you. What qualities do they have that entice you? Is there a particular location you would like to work in? Any particular position? Ultimately, you want to answer why you would want to work there.When you understand your ‘why’, you’ll begin to piece together your goals so you can move forward on your journey to achieve them.
If you want to get more creative, create a vision board. This can be a visual reminder of your goals and the values you want to uphold in your career.
Set realistic targets
Don’t try to research and send applications to 20 companies in one day. Doing everything all at once will only burn you out. Setting attainable targets will help break down seemingly endless work into more manageable milestones. Each time you hit a milestone, your motivation will increase, giving you the momentum you need to hit your big-picture goals.
To establish attainable goals, use the SMART method:
S – Specific
M – Measurable
A – Attainable
R – Relevant
T – Time-bound
You’ve probably already set these goals if you’ve made a career plan. When discouraged, refer back to your career path to remember what you’re ultimately working towards and see how far you’ve come.
Have a supportive network
Surround yourself with people who lift you. Sometimes, you feel like you’re not a strong enough contender, or your skills aren’t as honed as others. In these moments, rely on your hype team. When you feel low, fall back on your loved ones.
Make a brag file
This tip is one you can use even beyond your job search. When you feel glum, you can open this file for a pick-me-up.
This brag file isn’t meant to be sent to others but is something you can refer to when needing self-appreciation.
Whenever you reach a goal or get a compliment from a colleague or manager, note it down. If you’ve accomplished something or overcame a massive challenge at work, write that down, too! It’s easy to forget our worth; even the most confident person can sometimes use a pick-me-up.
Make a social impact
To feel valued, try positively impacting others by showing your support and appreciation. If anyone has helped you with your career or job hunt, send them a quick thank you note.
Additionally, volunteering with charities and local causes helps connect you to your community and demonstrates your ability to create positive relationships with others.
Connect with a recruiter
While it’s still possible to get hired through the traditional job search approach, it can almost be a full-time job in and of itself. It can take months for some to land a position using this route. It can get de-motivating after applying to what feels like endless job postings with no response.
There’s never any harm in reaching out for help, and what better help is there than a recruiter? A tech recruiter can enhance your search by offering objective advice and connecting you with potential employers. Having someone in your corner, like a recruiter, can keep you accountable and offer support when you’re down.
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