5 ways to keep motivated when searching for a job

Keeping motivated and positive during the search for a job is a challenge for everyone. It is not uncommon, especially if the search takes a long time, to feel a bit down about chances to get the job you want. There are, however, a few simple actions you can take to maintain your motivation; here are 5:

1. Focus on your strengths and achievements. Clearly it is good to be self aware and know what you need to improve but start by reminding yourself what you are good at, what have you achieved or won and done well at. It helps to see visible evidence of previous success so whichever room or part of your home you do your job hunting from, display your certificates, awards and any other evidence of success
   
2. Have a plan. Print it out, and keep it visible, set goals that stretch you but are not impossible and make sure you have actions with a target date to complete them by. Track each action and make sure you follow up on the agreed date. Success happens most often when preparation and planning meet opportunity, in this case the opportunity is the job you want
   
3. Keep learning new skills and knowledge; employers are impressed by job applicants that show they have a willingness to learn new skills – which a new job will involve - and also that you are committed to improving yourself. This can range from attending an online training course, reading business books to asking a colleague to coach and mentor you in areas where you want to improve yourself. In parallel practice of interview skills will sharpen up your performance ready for when you do enter a job selection process
   
4. Keep physically fit, it helps to set yourself goals to keep or get fit
   
5. Keep busy, be honest with yourself and measure your activity, number of phone calls, emails, letters, interviews, recruitment agents/search firms, job applications. The more activity you start the more likely you are to be successful and get a job.

Finally if we can assume that most employers prefer to hire people who are motivated and positive it makes sense to examine one interesting aspect about moods and facial expressions. You might feel that if you get into a bad mood your (unhappy) facial expression reflects your mood and equally if you are in a good mood your smiley face reflects that as well. But what if it was the other way round, in other words your facial expression affects your mood, and so if you smile you can actually put yourself into a good and positive mood. Since neither theory is scientifically proven maybe it's worth a trial smile or two?

Richard Lowe
www.lets-begin.com