Re-energize your job search.
I know it sounds sort of crazy to think about excitement and job searching in the same sentence, but being enthusiastic is important. When you're out of work, it's sometimes hard to feel anything other than desperate. With the unemployment rating staying at 9%, who wouldn't be?
The thing is, employers want to hire people who are enthusiastic and excited about working for their company, not just those who are excited about getting a job. When you feel desperate, it shows in everything you do. Instead of focusing on showing an employer why you are the best choice, you start to send out generic resumes to every job opening you see, which just wastes time and doesn't show anyone anything real about who you are.
If you are starting to feel desperate, here are 3 ways to get more excited about your search:
- Do some research - Think about what you are good at and which companies you really want to work for. From there, target those companies and keep up with what's going on in the industry. Make connections with others who work there and find out about any new job openings. You can write a cover letter explaining who you are and why you want to work for the company. By focusing on what you want, you can show an employer that you want their job.
- Mingle - Build a strong social and professional network. Get involved on sites like Twitter and Linkedin. Look for people who are talking about your industry. Participate in conversations and help others who are looking for jobs. Don't rely on social networking entirely. Look for ways to meet other professionals in your area. Networking opportunities like workshops, job fairs and even public speaking classes can be great ways to make connections with other who can help you along the way.
- Volunteer - Especially if you've been out of work for a month or longer, find a way to use your time and talents to help others. Not only is volunteering great for your self-esteem and gives you some sort of schedule to give structure to your week, it's a great way to make connections with others. For example, if you are an accountant, offer to help a non-profit organization or do tax workshops for poor people. Whatever you pick, it will help you keep your skills sharp and give you something to talk about when an interviewer ask what you have been doing recently.
Staying excited about your job search is so important and really difficult. It's tempting to just sit at home combing the job ads and feeling like a loser. Don't fall into this trap. The job of your dreams isn't going to knock on your door. Instead, do things that will keep you motivated and make you more excited about your future.
What things do you do to stay enthusiastic? Please share your thoughts and tips in the comments.
By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer for HealthcareJobsiteBlog and Beyond.com.. Along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.
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