Job search frustration

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How To (Not) Talk About Your Job Search Stress During The Holidays



The holidays can be really stressful for job seekers, especially for those who are between gigs right now (I won't call it "unemployed"). It's stressful because you're with your family and everybody asks, "So how's your job search going?" or "Where are you in your job search?"

Family and friends also tend to give a lot of really horrible, unsolicited advice on how to look for a job:

  • "Well, you should walk right in and knock on doors."
  • "Are you sending out 100 applications a day?"

These are bad job search techniques, and yet these people likely haven't looked for work in a while or are super old school. And while they're trying to be well-intentioned, all they're doing is stressing you out.

Set Boundaries With Your Family During The Holidays


So, as someone who's been coaching people through this for many years, my advice is to be prepared to set your boundaries. When somebody asks about your job search, you can say...

"I love that you're thinking of me. I promise you, my job search is under control. I'm taking a well-deserved day off today to celebrate with family and just want to talk about other things. But I promise you, I'm working with a career coach and all is good.

By setting boundaries, you're shutting them down. You're letting them know you appreciate their kind thoughts, but you're not going there today.

It's important for you to set boundaries with family, friends, and anyone else in your life who is bound to ask about your job search. People have to understand that they are overstepping and being inappropriate.

They always say people treat you the way you let them. So be prepared. Have that answer, rehearse it, practice it in the mirror. Make sure you've got a smile on your face so you don't look angry or defensive—but shut the questions down.

If they ask you again, or they start to give you advice, or they don't listen to you, say, "You know, I really don't feel like talking about this right now. I'm just trying to enjoy my day." And if they still keep talking about it, turn on your heel and walk away. We've got to learn to stand up for ourselves.

Good luck with your holiday job search! Go get 'em!

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How To (Not) Talk About Your Job …



You've probably heard the term best fit or ideal candidate quite a bit if you've been applying for new jobs, submitting college applications, or simply sifting through your long-term career goals. Employers know who they want, and usually what they want, in the hiring process. However, sometimes that's not always clear on the other end and candidates can find themselves with many mixed messages.

Aspiring to be the perfect fit for a new position is a job in itself. After all, nobody's perfect, and everyone is unique. But what do you do when you've received the infamous rejection email for the umpteenth time? How will you possibly bounce back from not being the best fit after nailing the first or second interview, time and time again?

Here are a few ways to grow as a candidate and own not being the ideal fit:

Avoid Displacing Anger


Man gets mad after receiving a rejection email for a job he applied for

If you can't express appreciation or thanks to the hiring manager after receiving the job rejection, then you need to take a step back and go for a walk.

Never communicate with a recruiter, hiring manager, or anyone else in the hiring process while under the influence of anger. You may say something that could damage your reputation and cripple your career. It's okay to feel hurt after putting in time for an opportunity you really wanted, but save those emotional feelings for close friends or family.

Learn About The "Ideal Candidate"


Woman on laptop reads a letter of feedback from a hiring manager

Following the job rejection, it's okay to ask the hiring manager for some feedback about what you were lacking as a candidate, and how you can improve for future job opportunities.

When asking a hiring manager for feedback, it's important to be professional and not too pushy about it. If they don't respond, or decline to respond, just let it go. Not everyone is comfortable with or has time to give feedback.

However, if they do provide feedback, the information could be invaluable.

Not only is it good to know who you're competing against, but it's also good to assess what other candidates have in common, and what traits your dream company looks for in candidates. Why? Because you'll be able to better understand if you fit in.

For example, if you have a hard time taking charge of tasks on your own but find yourself applying for jobs that offer little structure or support, you might not be the ideal candidate for the job.

Don't Let Rejection Stunt Your Growth


Let's say you didn't get the design job of your dreams despite having a portfolio with years of obvious hard work. So what? Use rejection as a way to perfect your skills and toughen your skin. Maybe you were just one year shy of the necessary job requirements, or maybe your skill set needs some fine-tuning.

This is all perfectly okay. Sometimes we don't get the things we want because we're not ready. Remember, the company isn't saying "No, not ever." They're actually saying "No, not today." You could re-apply to the same company later on and get the job. It's important to keep the lines of communication open.

Don't let your job search get in the way of your personal growth. There are always opportunities available for professional development and upskilling—you just always have to be open to those opportunities.

Just because you weren't the ideal candidate initially, doesn't mean you won't be in the future.

Need more help with your job search?

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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What To Do When You’re Not The …

This 1 Mistake Could Make Your Job Search Last 6+ Months



The most common mistake I see people make after a few weeks or a month of job search is they turn inward. What do I mean by that? Well, the job search already feels really stressful to people, so you muster up the energy, you take time out of your schedule to do something you're not really excited about, and you start putting yourself out there...only to get nothing back.

You apply for jobs. You don't hear back. You're not seeing the traction. So you turn inward. You go, "What's wrong with me? What am I doing wrong? How can I fix this?"

If you could fix this yourself, you would—and you know that.

There's this internal struggle that go on. There's a fear. There's a confusion. We turn inward. It is literally the worst thing you can do. And let me tell you why...

Turning Inward Will Make Your Job Search Longer


You're going to keep turning inward, and you're probably going to do that for another five months. I know this because the natural mark (we have studied this at Work It DAILY) where people finally break down and reach out for help is six months.

It'll probably take you six months of job search failure before you'll stop turning inward and having this internal struggle and say to yourself, "I need some help."

Now, the sad part about this is a lot of people swing completely in the other direction because, for those six months, you were doing it by yourself, so now you think the answer is to have it done for you. Therefore, you might overpay to have your resume or LinkedIn profile written, only for that to not work either.

You see, in order for you to really solve your problem, you're going to need to learn a few things to get the results you want in your job search, and they're going to need to be slightly customized for your situation. The better solution is to get some help from a career coach who will do it with you.

A career coach is going to teach you what you need to do in order to land that job. You don't learn these things in school, so you're going to want that help. And this is knowledge no one can ever take away from you. As you learn these things, it'll just make you a better job seeker. And every job is temporary, so you're probably going have to do this at least one or two more times in your life, so why not learn it now?

Stop turning inward. It's time to get some help so you don't waste six months of your life not getting the results you're looking for.

The number one thing people say to me when they join Work It DAILY is, "Why didn't I do this sooner?" So don't be one of those people, okay? Get some help. You don't have to go it alone.

Check out my affordable career coaching options here.

Good luck, and go get 'em!

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This 1 Mistake Could Make Your Job …

5 Tips For Staying Motivated During A FRUSTRATING Job Search



Let's face it: job search can be challenging, and staying motivated during a frustrating job search can seem impossible sometimes. However, it's critical that you stay positive. Otherwise, you risk falling into a downward spiral, which will only make things worse.

So, how can you get past your job search struggles?

Here are some tips for staying motivated during a frustrating job search:

1. Find Things You Can Get Excited About


What gets you excited? Think about your hobbies and interests. What do you do for fun in your life? Make sure you dedicate at least one day a week to doing what you love. This will help you get your mind off of the negative and focus on the things you enjoy.

Looking for a job shouldn't take up all of your time. By customizing your resume for each position you apply for and writing disruptive cover letters, you won't need to spend hours a day sending your job applications to a dozen different employers. Two or three will do.

For a strategic job search, quality is always better than quantity. It also means you'll stay motivated, won't get burnt out, and still have time to do the things you love to do. Balance is key!

2. Surround Yourself With People Who Inspire You


Man on laptop stays motivated in his job search by talking to inspiring people

When you're feeling down in the dumps, it's important to surround yourself with positivity. Make an effort to meet up with positive influences in your life—your family, friends, significant other, and mentors. These people will help you stay on track.

Also, surround yourself with your "virtual mentors," people who inspire you from afar. Whether they're celebrities, successful business people, or authors, keep them "nearby." Read their books or showcase their inspirational quotes. A little inspiration can go a long way.

3. Help Others


Friends help each other stay motivated during a job search

Helping makes us feel good! If you're feeling bad about yourself, see how you can help someone else. Volunteer. Pay it forward. Give back somehow. This will recharge you and get you in a good mood.

Another way to help others is to provide value to your professional network, whether on LinkedIn or in person. Share articles, videos, or podcasts you find inspirational, informative, and insightful. Offer to help your connections in any way you can. Chances are, they will be more than happy to return the favor, and may refer you to an open position at their company.

Never help anyone with the expectation of receiving something in return, though! If helping others keeps you motivated and makes you feel grateful for what you do have, don't stop doing it while looking for a job.

4. Get Some Exercise


Man goes for a walk after looking for a job

You've got to expel that negative energy! Make sure you take time to exercise daily. Take a walk. Go for a run. Do yoga. Lift weights. Just get GOING! Exercising equal endorphins and endorphins make you happy.

Don't know where to start? Check out this quick and easy home workout!

5. Give Yourself Structure


Woman writes a list to stay motivated during her job search

Not having structure can make your life seem unstable. Create a plan for your week on Sunday nights. Have a schedule and stick to it. If you like to-do lists, write one of those too.

You'll feel accomplished at the end of the week when you look back and see everything you got done while making time for yourself and prioritizing your career as well as your physical and mental well-being.

Staying motivated during a frustrating job search isn't easy. We hope these tips will help you find the motivation to not only land your next job but also improve your career.

When everything feels overwhelming, just remember to work it daily! Small, consistent actions can make a big difference. Good luck out there.

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.



Acquiring Job Advance Your Career Career Changing Careers and Employment Education Internship

5 Tips For Staying Motivated During A …