Posted By: Phil Rosenberg In: Business Professional How do you stay motivated while in career transition? A reader asked me to cover this topic.
Especially as we're going into winter…if you live in the Northern part of the US, it’s cold, snowy, and tough....
How do you stay motivated while in career transition? A reader asked me to cover this topic.
Especially as we're going into winter…if you live in the Northern part of the US, it’s cold, snowy, and tough. If you’re out of work, this time of year can be depressing.
Staying motivated and keeping a positive attitude is SO important in your job search. If you’re depressed, interviewers can hear and see it.
How do you keep your motivation up, even during the dreary winter months? Here’s 10 tips:
1. Set an alarm clock and keep a schedule. Treat your job search just like a job, and you’re less likely to feel lost.
2. Take a walk each morning, no matter how cold or snowy it might be. You finally have the opportunity to get out, get your blood flow going, see some daylight, and get some fresh air. Fresh air and sunlight does WONDERS for your frame of mind.
3. Exercise – It doesn’t matter what you do, or how long you do it. Just getting the blood moving through your veins will make you feel better, pump up your adrenaline, and wake you up!
4. Get out of the house – make networking lunch appointments, or if you don’t have lunch meetings, go out for lunch where you can see other people. Panera Bread is an awesome place – Lots of business people have meetings there or work there between meetings. Plus, there’s free WiFi and bottomless coffee (good coffee too!).
5. Say hi to people – Step outside your comfort zone to meet at least one new person every day. Where? Everywhere – at Panera, walking on the street, gas station, Grocery Store, bank. You never know what the person in line at the grocery does – or who they know. Plus, you’ll start looking forward to the new friend you’ll meet today.
6. Attend Networking events – More places to meet people who are in your field, or can connect you to people in your line of work.
7. Celebrate Success – Celebrate every success, no matter how small. Soon you’ll find a reason to celebrate each day. Your celebration can be as small as a piece of chocolate, or as big as a special evening out. It's Tuesday...WHO HOO!!!
8. Read a book – Read something you enjoy …something other than emails. Carve an extra 30 minutes per day to read.
9. Learn or try something new – Take a class, live or elearning, to pick up new skills. This is ESPECIALLY important for IT professionals who must recreate their knowledge base every 3 years to keep their skills up to date.
10. Eat Healthy – Prepare and make healthy foods, you’ll feel SO much better, and have more energy. You no longer have to dine at Chez Toyota for lunch, snarfing down a Big Mac, while driving with your knees.
Comments
Posted by: Maleta
Is it possible to work in spain/italy with a 5 year uk ancestry visa or is it only the uk I am able to work in?I am from New Zealand (kiwi)
Posted by: Carmen
I would like to know if employers don't like an overweight Administrative Assistant? I have 12 years admin experience, most of it corporate. This experience includes 7 years Executive Admin experience. I go to the interview and I don't get past that, not even a call back to tell me I've been rejected. I sometimes get the call that I am "over qualified." I am overweight and the fact that I don't have a thyroid gland has a most adverse affect on my weight loss. So how do I interpret the comment that I am "over qualified?" One other factor is that I am 52 years old. Are these factors that are preventing me from being hired?
Posted by: Dennis Houk
I have been working in Industrial Distribution for many years as customer service and inside sales. This is a very misunderstood field. I have learned skills in customer relations, customer service, purchasing, inventory control, exppediting and i'm still looking for a place of employment... seems the process is long. I keep praying and looking every day
Posted by: Maryam Jamal
Very encouraging write up! These techniques also help people stay mentally fit who are upset or depressed otherwise. How simple, yet how promising the effects can be drawn out of these suggestions! Hats off to the writer!
Posted by: Linda
Just as I was about to give in and up this article helped. I guess many of us are in this spot after a long time (1 year) of looking.
Posted by: Susan Gibson On: 9/17/2009 10:02:31 PM
Thanks for the 10 Ways To Stay Motivated.I needed that today. I went to a job fairtoday & unless I want to join the Army (GOD BLESSThe People That Serve)it was a joke.
Posted by: lisa On: 9/27/2009 3:55:32 AM
I am very positive and motivated. I do all the things you are instructed to do. I always volunteer and take the time to help and serve and donate while awaiting any jobs i have applied online. Not one has called for an interview and 4 have said not selected. What do you reccommend now that jobs are not hiring and just falsely advertising to make it appear they are advertising. I have sone all i can do to help prepare for a job! Noone is more qualified or more enthusiatic than I. God will make the door open and when its time and right the right employer may call me to hire me or take me back! I am confident that it was no fault of mine.
Posted by: Brian On: 10/21/2009 9:11:14 PM
This article was very important to me right now as I am approaching the depression stage as was discussed. I get interviews but usually never a second one, until recently. That turned out to be not as good as I hoped as after the second interview I heard NOTHING. I took the initiative to inquire about the status, but it went unanswered. The folks that do the interviews should have the decency to contact you (at least if you went on a second interview) and let you know a differant candidate was selected. VERY frustrating.
Posted by: Gale Wilson On: 10/26/2009 9:31:20 AM
I have been looking for employment for a few months now; first time in 25 years. I almost got discouraged yesterday,because I tried to apply for a job in a field that I worked in 25 years ago. My current jobs has been in the medical field; but was applying for cashier/sales. My resume is in medical school/experience;which is very consistent. I feel a little in between things in my job search. After reading the article, I feel more hopeful. Thanks
Posted by: Alexandra On: 10/31/2009 9:51:35 AM
To Maleta:I'm 26 years old and I have been looking for a job for the past 2 years. I don't think you're 'over qualified' to work or too old to work either. Those are two discriminating facts used against you. Any one can find a job. I guess it just depends on the company. I hope this helped.
