7 Secrets Of Staying Motivated in Job Search

By Dorcas Karuana,
Job search can be a long tedious process whether you are experienced candidate or not.  The longer you look for a job, the tougher it becomes. Just like many unemployed graduates who feel sorry for self, feel sick of self and tear hair out in frustration of looking for work, Miriam shared her frustrating job search story with me recently. 
“Miriam graduated with 2nd Upper in Community Development from a public university. She has been looking for a job or internships in the last 6 months without success. Every morning her 9-to-5 routine is: sit in front of laptop, lie on couch, eat lunch and then back to laptop.  She had now resolved to take a one month’s break without making any application.”
For sure looking for a job sacks, especially when there are no results. Constantly flipping through job openings in the classifieds and online, and browsing your little black book of business contacts which are not even there. So who can blame Miriam for feeling despondent, discouraged, depressed—even bitter?
But how do you keep yourself going strong? Staying motivated in your job search could mean a faster hire for you. So here are ways to keep your prospects high.
1. Expand your network every single day- 99% of jobs are gotten through networking, so networking should be part of your job search methods. Socialize with employed friends who will most likely know about available positions and upcoming openings and will be a reminder that jobs do exist. Attend networking events; the growth of your professional network is a better way to measure progress than how many interviews you have each week.
2. Set daily goals and celebrate your success - Goals will keep your mind focused on the things that are important and keep you feeling positive about your future. Be specific, setting small doable goals, listing problems, actions, resources, expected results and deadlines. If your goal is three networking phone calls today, do them and then reward yourself when they are accomplished. Have a daily schedule and a weekly goal chart. If you don’t have anything concrete to work towards, you have nothing to focus on and will find yourself achieving very little.
3. Create a support network – Do not do it alone, forming an alliance with other job seekers will help you share experiences, get advice and give you an outlet for your inner feelings. Also, outside of other relatives and friends, there are numerous networking groups, career transition meetings and support groups where you can gain both ideas and emotional support during these difficult times. 
4. Think positive- Somebody said that “It’s your attitude not your aptitude that determines your altitude.” When struggling to find a new job, some thoughts naturally enter our heads such as: What’s the point, I’ll never get it? Why bother, there are too many people looking for work? Stop! This will only make you feel unmotivated and hinder your job hunt. Look at every knockback as practice, particularly true of interviews, and don’t let that little niggling devil on your shoulder convince you that you can’t get ahead.
5. Expose yourself to media that inspire you- Whenever I feel like giving up I look for something to inspire me, that helps me not only understand that other went through the same, but also get ways on dealing with the situation at hand. Read biographies of successful people and enormously realize that every successful person encountered failures and setbacks along the way. Also, choose books, blogs, magazines, movies, and TV that uplift you and make you feel the world is a wonderful place.
6. Manage Your Job Search Stress Levels- Job hunting is not an easy task for any job seeker. Staying motivated during this time is probably the hardest part of the job search process. Stress and motivation is like oil and water; they just don’t mix.  Eliminate unnecessary stress and don’t sweat the small stuff.  Also, get rid of the word ‘stress’ from your vocabulary and exercise, eat healthy diet since once stress has possessed you, a positive attitude and sustained job search drive is impossible.
7. Engage in hobbies – “Too much work without play Makes Jack a dull boy!” Don’t spend hours at a time glued to a computer, looking for work. You need to maintain the balance between job hunting and enjoying your life. Take time out with family and friends or even playing games. Nothing will sap your motivation quicker.
Dorcas is a Human resource Consultant at Corporate Staffing Services. Email: dorcas@corporatestaffing.co.ke  Website: www.corporatestaffing.co.ke