Motivate Yourself for the Job Search

I just wrote a column on motivation for my writers' group newsletter and thought about how people searching for employment must keep themselves motivated throughout the job search. In this economy with its shortage of jobs, it's sometimes hard to get motivated or keep motivated in the face of rejections.

Here are a few motivational tips to help:

• Determine specifically what you want. What type of job? In what industry? In what location? Doing what tasks? Set a goal rather than say, "I'll take anything."


• Visualize being in that job. See yourself going to work, sitting at your workspace, doing your tasks.


• Get yourself ready for employment. Update your skills if necessary. Everyone must know how to use a computer these days. If you do not, take an inexpensive or free class at a reputable school or agency.


• Prepare a modern resume. Get help if necessary.


• Practice interviewing with a friend, all the while visualizing that you are interviewing with the company of your dreams.


• Get up everyday and do something to move yourself closer to getting a job. Inertia causes boredom and depression.


• Find a mentor to help in your job search.


• If you still have a hard time motivating yourself, find a cheerleader who will cheer you on and keep you motivated.

Take action every day even if it is a small step. It is by taking those daily steps that you can reach your goal of getting a job.

Job Search Tips

If you are searching for a job or thinking of switching jobs, begin by creating a few good lists.

• Make a list of everyone you know who can help you in your job search, including former bosses and coworkers, HR personnel, instructors, friends working in companies where you would like to work, and so forth.


• Write down your strengths, your skills, and your personal characteristics. Be sure to include transferable skills--those that you learned somewhere along the way that could be useful to an employer; for example, customer service, sales, problem solving, etc.


• List any skills or personal characteristics you need to work on improving. List ways in which you can accomplish this; for example, take a class, attend a seminar, read a self-help book, etc.


• List specific achievements and positive results you have accomplished while on the job. Include specific amounts of money you saved the company or the percentage of increased sales you had.


• List at least six reasons why an employer would want to hire you over other job candidates. Give specific examples of your worth to an employer.


• Write down questions you think an employer might ask you and your answers to those questions.


• Make a list of people you can use as a reference to attest to your work history and personal attributes.


• Make a list of places where you can apply for a job.

Now that you have created these lists, use them in your job search.