The job hunt can be tricky to navigate, especially when it feels like your inbox is either full of rejection or your messages are going unanswered by your dream company.
If this situation persists for any length of time, then it can be hard to stay positive and confident in your own abilities, particularly when you feel that your brilliant skills and great experience are being overlooked.
So to help you remain upbeat, we’ve put together some advice on how to stay strong and maintain a positive outlook during your job search. If you are struggling to find the right opportunity, then remember you can always get in contact with a recruiter like JAM Management. With a dedicated team and years of experience on matching clients and candidates, we’re here to find the perfect role for you. Get in contact now.
Remember that rejection is all part of the job search
In the moment when you receive your 20th rejection message, staying optimistic can be hard to remember. But try to keep in mind that there is no such thing as failure in this situation. You should view this as part of the job hunting journey.
With every application, try and learn something so you can improve how you search and apply for opportunities. It could be something as simple as ensuring you tailor your CV for each job or calling up a recruiter to introduce yourself and make contact ahead of submitting an application.
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If you are going through a period where you feel like all you’re doing is getting nowhere, then pause and take stock. Look at breaking down your application process and take the time to refine your CV or review how you apply for the roles to assess where you might have been going wrong.
Collaborate with other job seekers
Networking is a key component of the job search when looking for opportunities and this applies to your fellow job seekers as well as with companies you want to work for. Rather than viewing your peers as competitors, you should make contact and embrace them as a way of expanding your networks.
You can share your failures or any job hunting tips and resources. If your peer is going through a tricky time, then you can be there to support them. Being a partner in the job search can be a great resource to offer and hopefully this will be reciprocated. You can recommend people in your network for roles which might not be suitable for you too. If you give and share, then hopefully others will do the same for you.
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The support you can offer varies. Perhaps you could adopt the role of interview practice buddy, review someone’s resume or CV or just be there for a chat and a coffee if things aren’t going to plan.
Maintain a healthy daily schedule
If you are out of work and searching for a new opportunity, then maintaining a structure to your day can help you stay positive and focused, and in the zone. At the same time, don’t go too hard at finding a job to the detriment of the quality of your applications. You need to ensure you continue to make sure you’re submitting CVs and covering letters tailored for each opportunity rather than just sending hundreds of generic emails. Plan out your day and make sure you use your time wisely.
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Of course you need to work hard to source an opportunity but don’t do this at the expense of your own mental health or wellbeing. Remember to factor in breaks and exercise as part of your schedule to ensure a healthy work life balance even if you’re not in work.
Try not to take any rejections personally
Everyone gets a knock back from time to time and it’s important to remember that it’s not just you who might be feeling undervalued or unwanted. Whether it’s missing out on a promotion or never getting a response after what feels like a brilliant interview, you need to remember that rejections happen to all of us.
So how do you deal with rejection? You need to remember that the job market is a busy one and competition for great roles is tough. In most cases, you don’t know the quality of the other applicants and what you’re up against when making a submission for a post. In this scenario, you need to work on enhancing your resilience and becoming more mentally tough. This way, you’ll be more likely to take these in your stride rather than to heart.ESSENTIAL TIP:
Social media suggests that many of us are living a great life but it’s important to remember that this is not real life. If you’re feeling low, then get offline and go outside to give yourself a break from Instagram.
Stay plugged into the wider industry
Maintaining a positive outlook on the job search can be enhanced by ensuring you stay plugged into the latest industry news stories, trends and topics. Rather than switching off and disengaging, this is a great time to enhance your job prospects and add to your sector-specific knowledge. So try not to let your skills slide. Instead stay on top of industry news, spend time on LinkedIn refining your profile and connecting with thought leaders in your sector.
So how do you deal with rejection? You need to remember that the job market is a busy one and competition for great roles is tough. In most cases, you don’t know the quality of the other applicants and what you’re up against when making a submission for a post. In this scenario, you need to work on enhancing your resilience and becoming more mentally tough. This way, you’ll be more likely to take these in your stride rather than to heart.
So how do you deal with rejection? You need to remember that the job market is a busy one and competition for great roles is tough. In most cases, you don’t know the quality of the other applicants and what you’re up against when making a submission for a post. In this scenario, you need to work on enhancing your resilience and becoming more mentally tough. This way, you’ll be more likely to take these in your stride rather than to heart.
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Work on expanding your skillset during this employment break. If you feel that understanding Photoshop or a project management platform might be a valuable addition to your abilities, then take the plunge and invest in yourself. If money is an object, then there are also plenty of free courses out there which could help.
How a Recruitment Consultant Can Help You Stay Positive When Job Hunting
The job search can sometimes seem a lonely place and, if you’ve exhausted our list of tips and advice, then working with a recruiter could be the best option for you to take.
Collaborating with a recruiter such as JAM Management can help you redefine how you look and apply for opportunities. We can help review your skills, experience and abilities to ensure you’re finding the most suitable jobs for you. We have years of experience within the sector and our networks ensure we’re on top of the latest roles that might suit you. In this situation, you can let us take the pressure off and do the hard work of sourcing new opportunities for you…
