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Getting Out of the Job Search Rut
It’s early February.
Forty days ago you were ready to hit the ground running. Your next job was just round the corner. You were refreshed, re-energized, and making things happen. It was a new year, a new you, with a new job in sight. Nothing was holding you back.
Now you’re wondering what happened to your enthusiasm and commitment. The rejection letters are still coming. No interviews on the calendar. And even your dog is tired of having you around the house.
Here are three things you can do today to re-engage in this job of finding a job.
1) Do an honest evaluation of how you spent your time the last two weeks. Re-create your schedule. Were you really talking to people? Or were you getting ready to talk to people? If you were your boss, would you give yourself a bonus for extra effort or would you be contemplating your demotion.
2) Take another look at your resume. Better yet, ask an expert to take a look at it. Your eyes probably glaze over every time you see it—you’ve looked at it so much, and have worked so hard on it. Is it marketing you? Is it identifying your strengths—selling your accomplishments? Do you stand out?
3) Create an aggressive job search strategy for the next two weeks. Kick it up a notch. YOU own your job search.
Focus on Job Opportunities. Revisit your target market list. Don’t have one? Create one. Follow-up on resumes…professionally. Practice interviewing.
Develop professionally. Read your industry’s latest trade journal—or even your local paper. Find something interesting and make a note of it. Take the computer classes that will help you get that next job.
Network. Double the number of people you’re talking with/meeting with every day. Step away from the computer and get visible. Attend meetings. Be the person who connects others. Help someone else.
Go fishing. Schedule time to breathe. Block out time for an activity you enjoy that will re-energize you.
Click here for a Weekly Plan for Success template that will help you focus on the activities that get you closer to a job.
When you’re in a rut, step back and review what you’re doing. Then do something different.
