One of the worst parts of the job search is staying productive and positive. Most job searches take up to nine months and many searches can take longer. Don’t become disheartened if your search is long. Here are some tips that will help you use your time constructively.
Take an Hour to Read Everyday
- Reading is one of the only sedentary activities that helps alleviate depression. So take an hour or two every day and read.
- Recommendations include news articles about your career area, an on-line blog, or inspirational books about successful people.
- If reading is not your thing, listen to podcasts. Podcasts have the added benefit of being mobile and you can exercise while you listen!
Polish a Current Skill or Learn a New One
- Perhaps you want to get better at using all the features of Excel spreadsheets. Or you are interested in learning a new language that will help you with your career.
- Identify a skill that will help you in your career or find something that you enjoy learning and go for it. During the “tell me about yourself” question in the interview, you can emphasize that you stay current in your knowledge and skills.
- Demonstrating to prospective employers that you willingly and competently learn new information and skills can be very helpful.
Take Care of Yourself
- Eat right, exercise, and get plenty of sleep, just like mom always says.
- A job search can be stressful and stress lowers the immune system and our ability to fight off bugs. Do what is in your power to stay healthy.
- A job search can also be a good time to think deeply about your long-term goals and what is really important in your life.
- Use the time during the job search for creative pursuits. Find a hobby that inspires you and will allow you to get away from the stress of the job search.
As always, think about the things that are most important to you. Hiring a resume writer or career coach can lessen your stress and make the job search proceed more smoothly. Taking care of yourself is paramount if you want to start that new career in good shape mentally and physically.