During the job search, it’s often not only the bank balance
that can seem like it's going downhill. If you’ve been through redundancy or been looking
for work for a while, self-esteem can also take a hit. The bills may be piling up and all you want is
for someone to just see your potential, take a chance on your and give you a
job. It’s not too much to ask really, is
it? Well, that’s a good question!
If you are feeling low, the chances are you are unintentionally showing something of that to potential employers. It tends
to ‘leak out’ without you realising it. Almost imagining accepting yet
another rejection letter floating through the letterbox before you've even
finished the application? It will show. So what to do if you feel stuck or seem weighed down by the situation?
Some sure fire ways to get yourself motivated to complete your applications:
- If you feel like your energy is almost get up and gone; get outside. Go for a walk and take yourself completely away from the job search for 10 to 15 minutes. Listen and watch nature. Breathe deeply. Getting oxygen back in your system is valuable and can re-energise and refresh your mind and your body. It’s amazing how we forget the power of breathing to instantly improve our outlook on life.
- List your strengths or ask people who know you well what they think your strengths are. We sometimes forget these values as important to an employer. What are we good at? Would we be the one to keep a calm head when everyone else is flustered? A good listener? Able to explain complex things simply? Do you recognise in yourself what other people tell you that you are good at? Can you use that knowledge in your applications?
- Think of each job application as a step towards your new
future. Like Takeshi’s Castle (a Japanese
TV show) where the contestants go across water by giant stepping stones. Some
of the stones are solid and others do sink so that a contestant falls in the
water. If you consider you have learnt
something from those stones that don’t hold weight, it can seem less painful. Perhaps
those roles were not right for you anyway and the next application
may be toward firmer ground and a healthier bank balance too.
- Make sure you concentrate on applying for jobs that you think you are going to enjoy. If you really like the sound of the job, the more chance you’ll focus effort into getting it, rather than ‘just another application’. Imagine what it would be like to work there. How would it feel? What are the people like? Look up the company details and do a bit of research on them, so you can ask questions to show interest if you’re invited to interview. I was asked questions about an unusually listed company (private stock) at interview, and yes, I’d done my research so I could easily answer… and they offered me the job.Good luck and keep positive. You deserve success!
Twitter: angie_therapist
Facebook: Angie Giles Hypnotherapy
About the Author: Angie loves helping other people achieve their potential at work and in life and achieving happiness using a range of therapeutic techniques. Available via skype, telephone as well as face to face. Based in Norwich, Norfolk, UK..
Angie, fantastic blog post. I know how hard it can be to remain positive when you are looking for work and these are great tips.
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Kirsty
Thank you Kirsty, I'm so glad you liked it and shared with your clients too. I hope it helps people to have faith in themselves.
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