| RE-ENERGIZING YOUR JOB SEARCH
We all go through slumps. Whether we are a baseball player, writer, or job seeker. We sometimes feel stumped and tired. Our energies wane, sometimes, from the feeling of lack of progress, other times, the lack of motivation. How do we sustain our energy?Being a job seeker is difficult, difficult work without pay. We are only compensated when we have been provided with a job offer (the end result). How can we gather more energy? It seems to me, energy comes from three sources:
- people contact
- the process, and
- the ultimate goal -- getting that job.
Related to our people contacts, sometimes when we are unemployed, we withdraw from others, when in fact we should be "getting out there." People fill our need for social and moral support, and most importantly, provide personal and professional contacts.We also need to energize the way we do our job search. Are we meeting a variety of people? What are we doing besides using the traditional means of looking for work---newspapers, the Internet, and employment agencies. How can we expand this process?And finally, how can we provide ourselves with ongoing short goals to meet our final goal? To get you closer to you ultimate goal, what little steps can you take today? This week? This month?Energy creates energy. Surround yourself with positive people. Participate in activities that will refresh and replenish you.
Here's a partial list of things to do to re-energize your job search:
PROFESSIONAL
- Networking Groups expand your circle of contacts.
- Professional Associations offer social and professional benefits.
- Continuing Education sharpen your current skills. Don't allow yourself to get rusty while you are job hunting.
- Volunteer or take an internship with a nonprofit or educational organization.
- Read articles and research growing industry trends in your field, as well as outside of your field.
PERSONAL
- Keep in touch with friends and acquaintances on a regular basis.
- Exercise. Do what you enjoy---walking, running, swimming. There are certainly side-benefits to exercise. Exercise reduces stress and offers balance to your job search.
- Take time out from job search to enjoy low-cost activities (bargain movies, usher at plays and sporting events, play cards with friends, go on picnics, go for coffee / take walks with friends, go to the beach, take a drive in the country)
- Gather with a small circle of friends to offer each other job search support. First and foremost, you can learn a great deal from others. Second, you will gain valuable life friends. And third, you can share leads and provide support.
THE PROCESS/GOALS
In every profession, there are periods of what we feel are little or no growth. However, despite these "no growth" periods, writers write everyday and swimmers swim every day. Larry Bird, the famous basketball player, shot over 1,000 free throws every day.
- Do something everyday that will advance you towards your eventual goal.
- Make a list of new people, companies, and resources to contact.
- Follow up on old professional contacts that need to be renewed.
- Meet a colleague for lunch or coffee.
- Comb newspapers and professional journals for current information pertinent to your job search.
Paying attention to your personal, professional, and social needs will serve to increase your energy, and assist you with this life transition.
Ron Visconti, is the Community Relations Director for Jobs & Careers. He is the current co-host of JobTalk on Sundays at 1pm. Previously, he was the founder and Executive Director of the Career Education Center.
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