I chose to blog about this topic because it hits dangerously close to home. My husband, Jim, is a brilliant, hardworking archaeologist, but because archaeology jobs are both seasonal and hard to come by, the job search has become a yearly activity for him. Jim is extremely qualified and well respected in his field, but, often times he is overqualified for the jobs he’s applying to. This results in prolonged unemployment. Last summer he worked for the National Park Service, but because of a possible federal hiring freeze hinted at by the incoming presidential administration, he’s looking for more sustainable work just in case he isn’t hired on again this spring. (But him getting rehired in the spring is the plan, so cross your fingers for us!) Jobs in his field are hard to come by in any area, but especially in small-town Wisconsin where we live. I have watched him become very discouraged during this process and lose the motivation to continue applying. Because of that, I decided to ask the internet how he, and others going through the job search process, can stay motivated to find that perfect fit.
How to keep your motivation
According to the Business Insider article “How to Keep Up Your Motivation While Job Searching,” the average time to find a job has increased to eight months, and staying motivated during the duration of that search can become an issue. In the article, Mona Abdel-Halim–the co-founder of Resunate.com, the world’s only search engine optimizing resume builder–offers five tips for all of the job seekers out there.
- Specify a direction. Abdel-Halim believes its crucial to map out your path before you start searching. Determine what kind of job your looking for. List resources that will allow you to find all available opportunities. “Knowing where you want to end up will help you determine how you’ll get there and cause less stress along the way,” she writes.
- Know your purpose. While landing an interview and getting the job is the desired end result, Abdel-Halim suggests creating a set of attainable goals that will lead you to getting that interview. Goals can include applying for a certain amount of jobs per week or adding a certain amount of people to your network per month.
- Take a break. While it may seem like your life has to be consumed by the job search process in order to get a job, Abdel-Halim recommends setting aside time to do something for yourself. “Go for a run, attend a workout class, go to lunch with a friend or family member, watch your favorite show, etc. Do things for you,” she writes. “Remembering to do things outside of the job search for your personal well-being is very important part of the job search and your motivation.”
- Don’t put too many things on your plate. Even though it’s important to stay active outside of looking for a job by volunteering and bettering yourself, Abdel-Halim writes that taking on too many extra activities may put your job search in second place. “The more focused you remain on your job search, the easier that it will be to stay motivated towards your goal of full-time employment,” she writes.
- Reward yourself. After you accomplish a goal, no matter how small, it’s important to reward yourself. “You are in control of your own reward. Giving yourself a reward is a great way to keep yourself motivated and is something to look forward to after a long week,” she writes.
Hopefully these tips are exactly what you need to revitalize your job search. Another thing that I find helpful when looking for a job is continuing to stick to a schedule. After reading these tips, try creating a weekly schedule that implements Abdel-Halim’s advice. Good luck!
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