Searching for a job can be tremendously disheartening. You do all the right things. Send tons of resumes out. Scan the job sites for new opportunities. Attend all the networking groups. Still, your cover letters and follow-up calls seem to fall on deaf ears. It wears on you. It’s hard not to start taking this personally. If you’re not careful, soon you start questioning everything about, well, everything.
So here is a little secret for you. Accomplish something. Anything. Focus on the day-to-day of your job search rather than the ultimate end result. In this labor market the job search resembles a marathon more than it does a sprint so prepare yourself for the long haul. Measure your success by the steps you complete and the useful expansion of your network. Networking isn’t a body count, it is a strategy and so we want to build contacts with people that might have the most value for us in our search.
Accomplishment can go outside the realm of your job search too. This is a great time to get started on the exercise program or clean that garage. These accomplishments will help you to keep your chin up during these challenging times. Just remember, your job is to search for work first, and these should be supplemental activities. Cleaning the house from top to bottom while useful, doesn’t really help you to find work.
Well? What are you waiting for? Go Do Something!