Yahoo Finance 5 tips to stay positive while job-hunting
Becoming unemployed can cause a significant amount of distress and upheaval, but add a coronavirus pandemic into the mix and that stress could be catapulted 10-fold. While a positive outlook may sound difficult right now, it could be the key tool you need to set you up for success.
Here are five tips for how to stay positive while job hunting.
1. Remember you’re not alone
It’s essential that Aussies who find themselves unemployed due to COVID-19 realise that the pandemic is a global phenomenon.
You are not alone. Your unemployment or redundancy is not a reflection of your skills, experience or self worth, but instead a reflection of the situation we all find ourselves in.
The global pandemic has seen many businesses forced to reduce costs, cut staff or even close altogether which has put many people out of work.
According to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, as of September this year 937,400 Australians are unemployed.
As a result, the job market is more competitive than ever, which makes a positive outlook even more important.
Also read: A redundancy survival guide
Also read: A simple guide to beating job insecurity
2. Establish a routine
A routine is important when you’re working, and it’s just as important to maintain when you’re not.
Whether it's scanning job sites, networking, researching roles or applying for jobs, it can be helpful to think of your current role as ‘job seeker’.
Beyond Blue lead clinical advisor, Dr Grant Blashki, says structuring your day can also help keep depression and anxiety at bay.
He also recommends doing one ‘pleasure’ activity that simply makes you feel good, such as watching something you love on television or eating your favourite chocolate, and one 'achievement’ activity that makes you feel like you're functioning well, such as tidying up your resume or enrolling in an online course, every day.
3. Use it as an opportunity to enhance your skills
Is there a skill you’ve always wanted to upgrade but never had the time? This is the perfect opportunity.
The coronavirus pandemic and social distancing measures have forced or encouraged many Aussies to rethink and review their professional path in life.
Being unemployed is certainly the perfect time to enhance your skills to give you added value for the next role you apply for.
There are many free or low-cost tutorials or courses which could help you upskill.
And the latest Federal Budget is also good news for Aussies looking to upskill.
The recent announcement in September saw 50,000 higher education short courses added in a variety of sectors, including teaching, health, science, IT and agriculture.
4. Set goals
The easiest way to stay motivated is to set a goal and stick to it.
As Top Resume explains, setting small but measurable goals will help you stay motivated in your job search, even when things are going quite as you planned.
“You can set daily or weekly goals, but make sure they are specific so you can track your progress. These goals can help you avoid frustration by keeping you on track and helping you feel productive.”
For example, create a list of companies you'd like to work for and then make it your goal to research and apply for one new position each day.
5. Focus on what you can control
No one can control how the coronavirus pandemic will play out, or how the recession will affect the jobs market or the Australian economy.
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