Posted

We all have bad days, but for some reason, a bad day of job hunting just makes you feel like a suddenly deflated balloon. That interview that you had such high hopes for? You ended up coming in late and somehow managed to say the complete wrong thing, plus that toothpaste on your shirt did not come out with water as much as you’d thought. This, in turn, makes it harder to get up and start again the next day: Do you really want more of the same? Will anyone want to hire you? But you can keep up your spirits with a few tips.

  • Defy the averages.

The average job seeker does only half as much work on job hunting the day after that bad day. It makes sense – they feel demoralized and doubtful about their abilities and prospects. It’s also the opposite of what we tell people to do; we mainly suggest (and insist) that they metaphorically pick themselves up, dust themselves off, and start all over again. So next time you have that crummy day, be better than average: Decide to do just as much, if not more, than you usually do toward job seeking. It will give you back feelings of competence and control, as well as a feeling of accomplishment that you obviously didn’t have the day before.

  • Give yourself a pep talk.

Yes, you will find another job and work again. No, you will not have to live on a friend’s couch/with your parents forever. Yes, you got those other jobs due to your skills and merit. Review your resume and look at all you have to offer, telling yourself that the right fit is out there; you just have to find it. Think about any positive feedback you’ve received from former managers or employers and capitalize on that: What did they see in you as an asset? How can you get that to shine through?

  • Make connections.

Ask any business person and they’ll tell you that they prefer to hire someone they know, personally, who will do the job well or someone whom another trusted professional colleague can vet. It makes sense: Wouldn’t you rather work with someone you already know will fit well rather than take a chance on an unknown? So that next day, go on LinkedIn or call people you know in your industry who might talk with you about possible opportunities or what they see trending in terms of hiring. And remember: You don’t have to do this alone. Contacting a quality staffing agency such as PrideStaff will get you in contact with numerous employers who will trust that they’re getting vetted candidates.

Do what you can to not let a bad job-seeking day get you down. Allow yourself a little time to get out your frustrations and worries, and then hunker down to see how you can balance it out with a great day of searching. And make sure to include PrideStaff!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *