If you have already launched your job search campaign and you haven't defined your motivation, strategy, and purpose, then you are in jeopardy of sabotaging your final results. Walking, running, or skipping blindly into a new career path will lead you to the same place you are today - in the wrong direction.
Get out of your own way and realize your potential, your skills, and your truths through the process of self-evaluation. A successful and meaningful career is not something you fall into, but rather a deliberate decision. Take the necessary steps to redefine where you are today and where you vision yourself tomorrow.
Get Motivated
Are you motivated by fear of loss or the rewards of gaining something? To help you define your motivating factor, lets take a look at the following example.
Fear of loss
- You continually go to work everyday on time because you fear if you don't, you may lose your job.
The desire for gain
- You continually go to work everyday on time because you want to buy a brand new car and don't want your paycheck to be deducted.
Notice that in each scenario, both individuals have a good work ethic even though they are motivated by two different factors. Define what is motivating you. Why is this important? Because in order to be successful, you must know what drives you so that you can reach into that when you need a push.
Don't Compromise Your Integrity
Living in peace, wholeness and in truth, is important. During times of frustration, anxiety, and fear it can be easy to let go of who you are. During a job search, that could mean accepting a job that you are not comfortable. It can be very easy to forget what drives you as a human being. When you start doing something that goes against the grain, stop, refocus and regain control of who you are.
Leave Your Ego At The Door
If you are the type of person that has never asked others for help and don't intend to start now then, I encourage you to rethink your personal philosophy. Networking is the #1 way job hunters become gainfully employed. In order for you to network effectively, you must ask others for their insight and advice. Leave your ego at the door or you will have a difficult time in your job search campaign.
Positive Talk
Surround yourself with people who want you to succeed. Get rid of your toxic acquaintances who bring you down with negative comments. A job search campaign can be very stressful and if you made mistakes along the way, the last thing you need to hear is "I told you so". Grab encouragement by reading, listening to motivational tapes, exercising, and any other activity that makes you feel like a winner.
Mental Clarity
When you are looking for a job, especially if you are unemployed, it is likely that you are facing many challenges in different areas of your life. It is important not to allow your personal, career and economic challenges to overlap. When this happens, your mental clarity gets blurred and you get nothing accomplished. I know that this is easier said than done, but not impossible. Select a time each day to focus on each individual challenge and find ways to tackle them. For example, in the morning, you may choose to deal with your personal challenges, in the afternoon career challenges, and in the late afternoon economic challenges.
Get Guts!!
"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." ~ Anais Nin. Enough said.
Recall What You Have Already Learned
Though it is true that you may need to learn new skills in order to land a new job, don't neglect the skills that you have acquired throughout your lifetime. They can be just as valuable. There is no substitution for good work ethic, interpersonal skills, and time management skills. Here's how these skills can be transferable into a job search.
Good Work Ethic
- Looking for a job is fulltime work, so treat it as such. Implement the daily routines that made you successful in your career and make that part of your job search campaign. For example, if you always followed up with clients, be sure to follow-up with hiring managers after an interview.
Interpersonal Skills
- This skill will come in handy when you are networking for a new job. People like to help others and if you have great communication skills, this can help you build your network base quickly.
Time Management
- There are so many aspects to a job search campaign that organizational and time management skills are essential. Utilize your time management skills to get you through the overwhelming times.
If these skills are not your greatest strengths, then make up a list of your developed skills and brainstorm ideas as how they can be useful in your job search.
Take Action
I am sure that this is not the only article that you have read in regards to managing your job search. Let me ask you a question. How many articles have you read and how many strategies have you implemented so far? If my guess is correct, you have spent more time reading about careers and not less time developing an action plan. Before you go on and read another article and fill your mind with additional information that may never sink in, choose one aspect of this article or an article you have already read and implement a strategy today. If you choose to do this, you will be one step closer to your desired goal then you were just a second ago.
Make sure to check the archives for additional articles.