When you're searching for a job, it can be easy to get discouraged and lose motivation if you don't find something right away. We’re here to discuss some tips for staying motivated during your search so that you can keep going even when things get tough.
One of the most important things you can do is set goals for yourself. Make sure that your goals are realistic and achievable, but also challenging enough that they will keep you motivated and focused on achieving them. Once you have a clear idea of what kind of job would be ideal for you, it will help keep your search focused in the right direction rather than applying for lots of jobs that aren’t quite right for you.
Make a checklist of everything you need to prepare beforehand.
Make sure that you have all the information and tools required to apply for the job, such as:
A CV that represents your skills and experience in an impressive way (Read our blog on how to craft a CV)
Hiring Manager and/or application details of the job for follow up
References from previous employers or colleagues (these can be on LinkedIn)
If necessary, a portfolio of your work that showcase your talents
Discover and ask yourself what motivates you, and make it a habit to include these motivations as you are job hunting.
For example, if your brain works best when there is music playing, set up an alarm on your phone that plays a certain song at the same time every day. It's not just about getting started, it's also about keeping yourself in the right frame of mind throughout the day.
Remember, the journey to finding a job that aligns with your aspirations and talents requires patience.
Every step you take in this process contributes to your personal and professional growth. View this time as an opportunity to refine your skills and gain valuable experience. Putting into perspective, the average length of unemployment in Singapore is 8-12 weeks (depending on age and educational factors, source: MOM Labour Report 2022). Nevertheless, during the job hunt process, it becomes a chance to not only showcase abilities but also fine-tune them. Keep in mind that each interaction brings you closer to the ideal role, and your persistence will undoubtedly pay off. So, stay motivated, keep enhancing your skills, and embrace the journey with optimism.
Be realistic about how much time it will take and what you can accomplish in a day.
Break down the project into smaller chunks that are more manageable and realistic for your schedule, and then celebrate those small victories! While every job search is personal, resources can provide valuable insights. If perfectionism stalls your progress, remember imperfections are part of growth. Embrace imperfect actions over inaction. Break tasks into steps, learn, and adapt. Your journey will be unique and you could also combat perfectionism by celebrating progress and purposeful steps. And finally: don't compare yourself to other people; instead focus on doing what works best for you and your goals/needs/lifestyle so that you feel happy with how far you have come along in life thus far!
If you're having trouble getting motivated, try going outside or doing something relaxing.
Go for a walk
Play sports with friends
Go on a hike and take pictures of nature along the way
Some of us learned more about ourselves during the lockdowns and figured out how to stay motivated. It's important to keep yourself motivated when searching for jobs so that you can keep going even when things get tough or you are faced with rejections.
Once again, remember that it may take some time before finding a job that fits all of these criteria perfectly; don't get discouraged if things don't go according to plan straight away!
