There’s no denying that 2020 is the most challenging year in decades. Tenacity is essential in a challenging year.
Over the last few months, millions of people have found themselves involuntarily out of work—most often through no fault of their own. How you lost your job may or may not have to do with your perceived performance or a victim of circumstance (i.e., COVID 19). It’s how you respond to it that will set you apart from others when it comes to finding a new job.
When it comes to a successful job hunt, attitude is everything. A positive mindset will differentiate you from others, making all the difference in finding a new opportunity.
Let’s think positive and tackle this challenge together. Check out these tips that can help you stand out.
- Focus.
Focus on what you want, not what you don’t. Take a piece of paper and draw a line down the middle. On one side title it Wants on the other side title it Needs. List your wants and needs to determine what type of job suits you best at this time (i.e., part-time, full-time, salary, tasks, shift, family time, financial).
- Job-status.
Don’t let your job status define you. Yes, losing your job is a very personal experience, but don’t take it too personally. Who you are is not what you do. - Prioritize self-care.
It’s all too easy to feel like giving up and plop on the couch with your popcorn and binge watch something on Netflix. I say go-ahead for a couple of days. That’s it. You need to know that mental and emotional resilience requires physical activity. Be sure to get outside, go for a walk, go to the beach, walk your dog, do some gardening, or do something that lifts your spirits. Studies have found that activity builds resilience, leaving you more immune to stress. - Surround yourself with positive people.
Emotions are contagious. The people around you impact how you see yourself, your situation, and what you do to improve it. Be intentional about who you hang out with so you don’t get sucked into a pity party. - Tap into your community.
Let friends and acquaintances know what you’re looking for and what you need. The more people who know what you want, the more who can help you get it. Never underestimate your community’s power and how they may be able to open the door to a new opportunity. - Finding a job as a job.
Be sure to create structure in your day. Carve out a few hours to update your resume and cover letter and apply for jobs and follow-up on job leads. Make to-do lists and mark essential things in your calendar. Create a job search plan with goals and small manageable steps. Then prioritize, structure your day and treat finding a job as a job. - Be kind.
Extending kindness toward others makes us feel good. Write letters and cards to family and friends that you haven’t seen. Send thank-you notes to those people in your community that has shared leads and to those who interviewed you. Scientists have found that acts of kindness produce some of the same “feel good” chemicals in the brain as anti-depressants. Also, when we give our time to help others, it helps us stop focusing on our problems and realize how much we have to be thankful for.There’s no better mood booster than making a difference for someone else, even when you wish your own life was different than it is.
You’ve got this! It’s part of life, and it’s all how you look at it and handle it.
- Q: How Traumatic is Losing Your Job? A: Extremely - July 8, 2020
- Are They An Independent Contractor or an Employee? - June 24, 2020
- Looking For That First Day On The Job Feeling? - February 2, 2020