| It can be really hard to stay upbeat in a job search, | | | | search and spend the other 3 on something that will |
| especially if you've been out of work for any length of | | | | enrich you, like learning a new sport or an instrument, |
| time in this difficult economy. You can stay motivated | | | | or reading up on the industry or taking a |
| by setting realistic goals that aren't activity-based, but | | | | class...something that will better yourself and make you |
| are instead performance-based. And what I mean by | | | | a stronger person than you were before. |
| that are actions that get you interviews. | | | | For instance, I got a letter from a candidate who, after |
| If you're not getting interviews, you need to be | | | | he was fired, joined a gym and lost 50 pounds. In |
| reaching out to professionals who can help you: career | | | | addition, he signed up for a resume service, and bought |
| coaches, resume writers, profile coaches for LinkedIn, | | | | some Career Confidential products so that he could |
| industry experts, and functional experts who can give | | | | have cutting-edge tools for his job search. He had a |
| you insight on how to be more strategic and more | | | | new job within 3 months-and it was a better job than |
| successful in your job search. Be proactive. If what | | | | the one he lost. And he looks better and feels better |
| you're doing isn't working, do something else. Reward | | | | than he did before. |
| yourself for your successes along the way. | | | | If you can identify the areas where you can improve |
| Have a realistic plan. I don't think your job search | | | | and grow, and take action, then you can have this kind |
| should take 8 hours a day, like some would suggest. If | | | | of success, too. So instead of being a negative |
| you keep that up for a couple of weeks, you'll be | | | | experience, your job search can be a positive, |
| crushed. Instead, spend 5 hours a day on your job | | | | opportunity-filled one. |