Learn how to overcome the challenges and stress of job searching, and boost your motivation, confidence, and skills with these six simple strategies.

A person who shoots out 500 resumes to every job under the sun will always wake up to rejection emails. Those can be very demotivating, so get to the root of the problem and start from there. Quality applications can lead to less rejection emails, so slow down and make sure your resume story matches the requirements in the job description. You may not reach the 500 applications that you wanted, but the one you did submit have a much higher chance of receiving positive feedback from recruiters.

How can you stay motivated during a job search?

Searching for a new job can be a challenging and stressful process, especially if you face rejection, uncertainty, or competition. It can also affect your self-esteem, confidence, and motivation. However, you can overcome these obstacles and stay motivated during your job search by following some simple strategies. In this article, you will learn how to set realistic goals, celebrate your achievements, seek support, maintain a positive mindset, and balance your time and energy.

1 Set realistic goals

One of the best ways to stay motivated during your job search is to set realistic and specific goals for yourself. For example, you can decide how many applications you want to send per week, how many networking contacts you want to reach out to, or how many skills you want to improve. Having clear and measurable goals will help you track your progress, focus your efforts, and avoid overwhelm. You can also break down your larger goals into smaller and more manageable steps, and reward yourself for completing them.

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Jason Cirilo

Helping College Students Build Confidence in their Career Skills at UT Dallas - #hireJSOM
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A person who shoots out 500 resumes to every job under the sun will always wake up to rejection emails. Those can be very demotivating, so get to the root of the problem and start from there. Quality applications can lead to less rejection emails, so slow down and make sure your resume story matches the requirements in the job description. You may not reach the 500 applications that you wanted, but the one you did submit have a much higher chance of receiving positive feedback from recruiters.

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2 Celebrate your achievements

Another way to stay motivated during your job search is to celebrate your achievements, no matter how big or small they are. For example, you can acknowledge yourself for getting an interview, receiving positive feedback, or learning something new. Celebrating your achievements will help you boost your confidence, recognize your value, and appreciate your efforts. You can also share your achievements with others, such as your friends, family, or mentors, and receive their encouragement and support.

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Lee Godwin

Breaking down barriers to mental health support
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Celebrating your achievements in a Job search is so important as sometimes you can start questioning your own ability. Therefore, the ability to reflect on your past achievements both personally and in your career is important, use this as a point to come back to. Also, celebrate all the small wins on your job search. Celebrate that first stage interview. Celebrate that presentation you ran through over Zoom which may have taken you out of your comfort zone. Celebrate that recommendation into a hiring manager by an ex-boss, peer or friend.

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Melanie Knight

Learning designer | Author of 'Learn About Learning' newsletter.
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Keep a record of each person you connect with and each job you apply for. This can help to remind you of how much you are doing to work towards your goal.

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3 Seek support

A third way to stay motivated during your job search is to seek support from others who can help you, inspire you, or empathize with you. For example, you can join a job search group, attend a career workshop, or connect with a career coach. Seeking support will help you gain new perspectives, learn new strategies, and access new opportunities. You can also seek support from your personal network, such as your friends, family, or peers, and express your feelings, challenges, and needs.

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4 Maintain a positive mindset

A fourth way to stay motivated during your job search is to maintain a positive mindset and attitude. For example, you can practice gratitude, optimism, and affirmations. Maintaining a positive mindset will help you cope with stress, overcome negative thoughts, and attract positive outcomes. You can also practice mindfulness, meditation, or breathing exercises to calm your mind, relax your body, and improve your mood.

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Comfort Daniel

Clinical Psychology | People & Operations | Project Management | Education Development
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It's important to realize that not landing a job isn't always your fault; timing also plays a role. Even with an impressive CV, excellent experience, and successful interviews, job offers may not come immediately. It's natural to feel down at times, but remember to stay optimistic. You are capable and deserving of a job. Over time, you will find a great role. Job searching can be stressful and overwhelming, but it's essential to take breaks, manage stress through positive activities, and maintain a gratitude journal. The job market is challenging, but persistence pays off.

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5 Balance your time and energy

A fifth way to stay motivated during your job search is to balance your time and energy between your job search activities and other aspects of your life. For example, you can create a daily or weekly schedule that includes time for work, rest, and fun. Balancing your time and energy will help you avoid burnout, boredom, and frustration. You can also take care of your physical and mental health by eating well, sleeping well, exercising regularly, and doing things that make you happy.

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6 Adapt and learn

A sixth way to stay motivated during your job search is to adapt and learn from your experiences, feedback, and results. For example, you can review your resume, cover letter, and interview performance, and identify your strengths and areas for improvement. Adapting and learning will help you improve your skills, knowledge, and confidence. You can also seek feedback from others, such as your potential employers, mentors, or coaches, and use it to enhance your job search strategy.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can you stay motivated during a job search?

1

2

3

4

5

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7

1 Set realistic goals

2 Celebrate your achievements

3 Seek support

4 Maintain a positive mindset

5 Balance your time and energy

6 Adapt and learn

7 Here’s what else to consider

Personal Development

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How can you stay motivated during a job search?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Set realistic goals

2 Celebrate your achievements

3 Seek support

4 Maintain a positive mindset

5 Balance your time and energy

6 Adapt and learn

7 Here’s what else to consider

Personal Development

Rate this article

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