Looking for a new job is always an adventure! The possibilities can feel endless… which can either lift you up or bring you down. Practicing healthy habits during your job search can keep you even-keeled.
1. Expand Your Network
Whether you’re currently working or job searching while unemployed, it’s important to continue to build your network. Start by networking with your co-workers, clients, and non-work friends. Then branch out into your school or program alumni, friends of friends, and other more distant connections.
Remember to leverage LinkedIn as a place to connect. This is what it’s built for! Polish your profile and reach out to others to build your network.
2. Be Kind to Yourself
The process can be stressful and takes a lot of time to complete. It can feel like a full-time job while you search for your next opportunity! Although you’re busy, remember to make time to rest. Work on tailoring your resumes in batches. Don’t schedule back-to-back interviews. Give yourself breathing room in your day and create dedicated blocks for job searching as well as self-care.
A consistent routine will help you stay organized (see below) and ensure you’re taking time for yourself. You should also find time to practice hobbies that are unrelated to work that help you relax.
3. Continue to Learn
No matter how much education you have, you can (and should) continue to learn new things throughout your job search. Whether you graduated from a university or have certifications under your belt, seek out new learning opportunities. When building your tailored resumes, remember to include transferrable skills you’ve learned even if they don’t have quantifiable certificates.
These new challenges will not only be great additions to your resume, but you’ll also foster a positive long-term habit in your personal life.
4. Stay Organized
How will you keep track of all your tailored resumes, cover letters, interview requests, and feedback? Create a spreadsheet of the jobs you’ve applied to and track where you are in the hiring process for each. Set reminders for when applications are due, when hiring managers need answers, and when your interviews are coming up.
Staying organized will keep you from feeling overwhelmed and give you some control over the process. You’ll also come off as more professional because you’ll be prepared for the next stage of your search.
5. Be Patient
Know that job seeking takes up a lot of time. Different employers have different hiring processes and some are longer than others. Don’t be discouraged if it takes a while to hear back from hiring managers.
Reward yourself for small accomplishments to increase your motivation. And remember to stay positive throughout this process! The right job for you may take some time to find, but it will be worth the wait.