Maintaining Confidence and a Positive Attitude During Your Job Search

Without a doubt, job loss and the search for a new position are significant events. We invest so much of ourselves in what we do that it becomes part of our identity. How often do we equate “who we are” with “what we do”? Losing this part of our identity leaves us feeling a host of emotions. During this time of change, it can be quite difficult to maintain a positive attitude. By taking the right approach, however, this loss can also be the first step to a positive career change, and much of your success will depend on how you manage your time.

First, accept the fact that, like most people, you will feel a variety of negative emotions - disappointment, anger, rejection, apprehension, self-doubt and for some, depression. However, it is imperative that you also embrace the positive emotions – excitement, empowerment, enthusiasm, opportunity, a fresh start and the chance to develop a new perspective. This roller coaster of emotions will terrify some and excite others. The sooner you are able to accept your new reality, the sooner you can let go of the past and begin to look forward towards a more engaging future – one that you are controlling!

Developing a strategy ahead of time will help you maintain this positive and productive attitude. Spend sometime creating a plan to define your action items, continuously assess your progress, and ultimately drive your results.

Here are some tips to guide you through the hard times, allowing you to focus on the things you CAN control while maintaining a positive attitude-

• Don’t spend more than 35 hours/week in job search (25-30 is recommended)

• Make time for yourself- exercise, spend time with family, meditate, play golf, surf, treat yourself to a movie, take a day trip to Palm Springs, visit relatives or old friends, go bowling, enjoy a museum, take a walk on the beach, walk your dog, fix some things around the house, pick up your kids from school and take them to lunch, meet your spouse for lunch, etc.

• Treat your job search as an exercise in project management - establish small, short term goals rather than focusing on the daunting task of “getting a job”. This will allow you to feel a sense of accomplishment while remaining focused on achieving these goals along the way

• Figure out what you can do to help someone else in their search or job

• Take a day off to reward yourself for a successful week of networking

• Get involved with an organization - volunteering one’s time for good causes can help sharpen your social and professional skills, it will provide a sense of purpose, and it will provide additional visibility among organizations that may be hiring

• Get out of your home office and away from your computer to meet people in person

• Start a blog or write some articles for an industry publication

• Enroll in a class or workshop – your transition is the best time to fine tune your technical and/or computer skills

• Join 1 or 2 groups focused on professionals in transition (Inlandnet, The Boardroom, TurningPoint’s Career Management Seminar, FENG, MENG, ExecuNet)

Continued in next column >