Positive Habits to Develop While Job Seeking

Losing or leaving a job can be very psychologically jarring. There is a sense of self that comes from a job, a sense of responsibility and direction, a sense of purpose. Once that job is no longer there, what does that mean? Are you no longer yourself? What happens now? The uncertainty and ambiguity can be overwhelming.

Everyone handles this transition differently and in his or her own time. One thing I will encourage is developing positive and healthy habits to push forward, heal, and grow. Below are some suggestions for this glass box of emotion that is job seeking.

Pick Up a New Hobby/Skill

Have you ever wanted to learn how to play guitar? Or learn about coding? Learn a new language? Or any other interest you haven't had time to indulge? Por supuesto que sí! (Translation: of course!) This. Is. Your. Time. Build this in to your day-to-day. Develop this new skill.

The wins and gains you will receive throughout this skill acquisition will keep you motivated and positive throughout the job seeking process. From interview to offer, the hiring process can take anywhere from 2 to 12 weeks, and in some cases more. This process will also be like a roller coaster emotionally. You will be excited about getting a call back one day, stressed about not having heard back the next. These incremental wins in developing this new skill should be celebrated and used as a source of positivity, and potentially an addition to your resume.

Exercise

Time to dust off that treadmill you bought at a garage sale because that was "the year you were going to get in shape". Exercise has a ton of benefits that will help you while you job seek. According to WebMD, there are studies that show exercise increases energy, reduces stress, and releases endorphins. Not to mention, it feels amazing to walk into an interview and know you look good. Also, once again, the wins (weight loss, muscle growth, etc.) will help contribute to a positive mentality.

Connect With Your Support Network

Having a support network is great to help decompress, analyze and vent about your job seeking. Strengthen your relationship with a family member or close friends. They will be there to lend an ear, provide advice, or even distract you when you don't want to think about your job search.

One additional piece of advice, pick the right member of your network. Someone that will motivate and not criticize. Someone that can listen, not just lecture. Someone that will be a positive force and support.

Create a Schedule

“It’s no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then.” ― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

A schedule will give your days direction. It will keep you on a task-based orientation instead of asking the dreadful and uncertain "What happens now?" A schedule provides structure and will also help (depending on your industry) easily transition once you do have your job offer and jump back in to the working world. A schedule keeps you moving forward and provides certainty about what is going to happen next. A schedule gives you control about what is going to happen next.

These are some suggestions and practices that have helped some of my clients and have even helped me stay sane in what could seem like an unpredictable adventure that is job seeking. Stay positive my friends and "just keep swimming".

What positive habits you have tried during your job search? Are there any additional questions you have about your job search, interviews, or resume? Please comment below or on our Facebook page. You may see your question featured on one of our posts!

This post was sponsored by Stallion Consulting Group, LLC.

Stallion Consulting Group provides one-on-one career coaching and training and partners with companies to improve their recruiting processes

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