This archive report was first published on 30 August 2019.
As we navigate the challenges of adulthood, financial stability is a coveted mark that allows for independence. However, searching for a job, especially for an extended period, can be draining and exhausting. It's essential to stay positive during this time, and here are six ways to do so.
Firstly, look at the period as an opportunity to explore alternative skills or focus on other career options. This might be a good time to do things you've always wanted to do but lacked the time, such as writing, meeting professionals in unfamiliar fields, or stepping outside your ordinary life.
It's also essential to use this time to understand your field better and explore other possible journeys that your skills could put you on. Take the advice you receive from rejection letters positively and don't wallow in the melancholy of rejection emails.
Be cautious of organisations that say they don't have vacancies for employment but have space for volunteers. Are they truly unable to absorb employees or are they taking advantage of others? These are important questions to ask.
Volunteering can solve the problem of 'dead time' on your resume and increase your chances of gaining attention through your skills. Positivity begins from the inside out, so don't neglect the obvious, such as drinking enough water, eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, caring for your spiritual well-being, or exercising.
Make full use of your LinkedIn profile by ensuring it has information that can convince someone who's never met you that you can deliver on the job if given a chance. Diversify your search routine by identifying 15 companies you'd like to work for and scrutinising them regularly.
Lastly, remember that failure to get a job has nothing to do with you as an individual. These are tough economic times, and jobs are scarce. Rather than filling your mind with negative thoughts, affirm yourself, take into account all the positive things around you, and remember all the times you've emerged victorious in the past.
