HOW TO NOT LOSE YOUR MIND WHEN YOU'RE UNEMPLOYED

Trying to find a job can be frustrating, whether you’ve been at it for a month or a year. It demands the same work ethic as an actual job without providing any of the benefits — money, purpose, comradery, take your pick.
The cliché is true: Persistency is key. But working smart is better than simply working hard. There are many behaviours that one can fall into during the job search that, while completely understandable, can prove counterproductive.

Here are five tips for becoming an effective job seeker.

1. Get dressed

When you’re plugging away at the job search from home, it can be easy to allow yourself to get too comfortable. This could mean wearing yesterday’s clothes — or last night’s pajamas — or yielding to the siren’s song of the couch — or, worse, the bed.

It’s important to maintain the habits of somebody who already has a job. For example: get up at a reasonable hour, attend to personal hygiene put on a nice, clean outfit in the morning.Doing so puts you in “work mode,” which can help keep you productive and positive.

2. Maintain order

The act of pouring over job postings for positions you think you’re qualified for and that you’d like to have, filling out dozens of applications and tweaking cover letters can seem insurmountable — especially if you haven’t had much luck thus far.

The trick is to break down big goals into small tasks. Set weekly goals and daily agendas. Consider commuting to a library or coffee shop to limit distractions and reduce the risk of slipping into a state of procrastination.

3. Take breaks

At a typical 9-to-5, employees are entitled to a one-hour break. When you’re out of work, however, it can be easy to run yourself ragged in your search to secure a job.

Taking short breaks throughout the day is still a good idea. Whether it’s to have a snack or take a walk, stepping away from the computer can help you refocus and can lead to better results.

4. Think critically

It can be easy to slip into a mechanical approach to the job search. This is because many of the tasks can feel mundane: sifting through job postings, creating lists and sending applications out into the ether. 

But being effective requires critical thought. Constantly re-evaluate what’s working and what isn’t. If you aren’t getting interviews then maybe you’re applying to the wrong jobs or your cover letter needs work. If you’re getting interviews but no offers then maybe you need to read up on the best practices for conducting yourself in that situation.

5. Stay positive

The job search can be demoralizing. It can be hard to stay motivated when you’re doing everything right and still haven’t found work and, for obvious reasons, lacking a steady steam of income can be stressful.

Remember to celebrate the small accomplishments. Did you cross off items on your checklist? Did you land a job interview? Give yourself a pat on the back — whatever that may entail — and consider rewarding yourself with a day off.

Source : business.financialpost (Eng); technogenie (Fr)

#JobSeeking #advices