Summer is winding down as most job candidates are restarting their job search efforts. If you have ever conducted a job search in the summer you probably have felt the temptation to wait until vacations are over and people are back to work. The “waiting until” strategy creates a lethargic state of mind that sends your job search into a deep sleep.
Interestingly, the one surprise that most candidates encounter with a job search is the loss of a work routine. No wonder job candidates often feel depressed and confused about their future opportunities when they stay up late at night, eating unhealthy and getting sidetracked with household chores.
While work routines often interfere with the demands of a busy life the trickledown effect of losing a structure impacts your activity level and leads to inertia.
Think of inertia as kryptonite to your job search, it will drain every ounce of energy you have in moving forward and will bring your search to a complete standstill. The good news is you can prevent inertia from happening and awaken your search with a few simple techniques.
1. Create a routine that helps you move towards your career goals. When you are job searching from home, more than likely you are missing a framework of structure that kept you focused. Start by developing a new routine that resembles a job, like getting up every day at the same time and getting dressed for work.
Some find it motivating to leave home and actually prepare their day from a coffee shop or meeting friends for breakfast. In addition, signing up for a job search group helps with accountability and structure.
2. Develop a good sense of managing time. In talking with job seekers, most will comment on the amount of time it takes to apply for jobs and waiting for employers to respond. Sit down and examine how much time you are spending on activities that produce the least results.
Granted, applying for jobs is part of a job search, but sitting behind a screen for eight hours a day with no return on your efforts is not a good use of your time. You could apply for jobs at night and spend the daytime hours reaching out to people and gathering information.
A good way to measure your time and results is to keep a weekly timesheet on your efforts. Keeping a journal or time-management software works as well, anything that helps give you a snap shot of your results.
3. Make a to-do list of activities. Keeping a simple to-do list really works and helps you stay focused with your search goals. If needed, break your list down into priorities starting with activities that produce the most results.
If you find yourself procrastinating on uncomfortable tasks, such as making follow up calls and networking, do them first in the morning and while you are energetic.
4. Meet people and gather information. One of the best job search strategies to use is to re-frame your efforts from “looking for jobs” to “looking for people.” Networking continues to be the most effective form of job searching.
Employers are constantly looking for good talent and rely on referral sources such as internal employees. Getting out and meeting people helps you broaden your contacts and gives you potential information about opportunities before they are posted.
5. Watch for negative thoughts. When you lose a routine more than likely your job search momentum will suffer and that affects your attitude. Inertia creates self-doubt and seeing yourself as a “failure” in not landing a job can be a destructive habit.
Job candidates who internalize negative thoughts tend to lose sight of their strengths. Your attitude plays a major role in your career and staying positive will help you overcome a stalled job search.
