We’ve all heard or read about the terrible job market that currently exists—the mass layoffs, the hiring freezes, the seasoned professionals being offered entry-level salaries. The doom and gloom news seems nearly inescapable.
Choose to believe whatever you want; but before you decide that job searching is a frustrating, labor-intensive ordeal, consider the many benefits of and tips for adopting and maintaining a positive mindset throughout your job-search journey.
A negative mindset will block opportunities.
Have you ever met someone who, from your very first meeting, was a “Negative Nancy,” whether it was their conversation or just their body language, you just knew they had nothing good to share, and you probably couldn’t get away from them fast enough. Negativity is a job repellent. People want to help others who are enthusiastic, positive, and appreciative—not the scowling stranger who has her arms crossed and looks miserable at the networking event. Actually, a negative mindset could easily drain your will to even attend networking events and make critical connections. Your beliefs about job searching will directly affect your job-searching effort; and your effort will directly affect your results. All this to say, don’t be a Negative Nancy!
Acknowledge that finding the right job may take time.
According to Forbes, it typically takes about four months to find a job, longer if you’re unemployed. If you have unrealistic expectations that you’ll find a job within a few weeks, you’ll likely end up frustrated and defeated. You need grit and “stick withitness” to land the job you want.
Believe that jobs ARE out there.
Honestly, if you don’t believe that a new job is out there waiting for you, then why are you reading this? People leave jobs every day. They retire, get fired, decide to be stay-at-home parents, get promoted, find a better opportunity, and even die (forgive the morbidity).
Develop a mantra.
The effectiveness of mantras has been well documented. Repeating words or phrases with intention can improve focus, reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and more. To develop your own mantra, think about areas where you want to improve. If, for example, you lack confidence, tell yourself “I am confident, I am skilled, and I provide value with my work.” Repeat the mantra several times a day, especially during times of doubt or frustration.
See yourself in your dream job.
Write out your list or description of your dream job qualities. Be as specific as possible. For example, write, “I want a commute that is 20 minutes or less, where I make $150K a year doing meaningful work training and developing others, and I have a great manager and coworkers. The work environment is casual and hybrid, so I can work from home three days a week. The company shares my values in terms of social issues, and they make charitable contributions to causes that I care about.”
This “wish list” exercise should inspire you and help keep you focused on what you want You should feel excited about the list and look at it daily. If you want to make it more powerful, write it in the present tense: “I have a commute…”
Practice Gratitude.
This is perhaps the biggest lift when you’re on the job hunt, because if you’re looking for a job then you’re obviously not completely satisfied with your current situation. Having gratitude for less-than-ideal circumstances isn’t easy but it’s critical to make space for bigger and better opportunities. The first step on your gratitude journey should be to recognize all the wonderful things in your life that aren’t job related. Do you have great friends, a loving spouse, healthy kids who are thriving in school? Write down all the things that bring joy to your life. Next, if you have a job you’re trying to leave, add to the list as many good things about the job as possible. For example, you got a bonus last year, you like your coworkers, the food in your workplace cafeteria is good. Nothing is too small to note. You’d be surprised how much good you can find. Finally, be grateful for the wins of others as they progress in their careers; let their victories serve as a reminder that great things/jobs are out there.
It’s important to acknowledge that job hunting can be a long and sometimes challenging journey. However, maintaining a positive outlook and cultivating the right mindset can make all the difference in helping you stay resilient, reflective, and primed for life-changing growth.
