Seven Habits of Highly Effective Job Seekers

Want to know the so-called secret of getting a new job with challenging work, room for growth and great pay/benefits? According to a piece in ForbesWoman, there are seven habits of highly effective job seekers. 1. Stay future-focused. Margie Worell writes in the piece, "It’s easy to get stuck in the past and what shoulda-woulda-coulda happened, but didn’t." Of course, this behavior is counter-productive and will create negativity, not to mention self-pity. Her advice? "Focus on the future, and on what you need to do to set yourself up as well as possible on the job front,in how you are budgeting your money, and in your relationship with those who can help you find a new job. What you focus on expands, so focus on what you want, not on what you don’t." 2. Don't let your job status define you. This one may be hard to accept at first. After all, one of the first things we ask each other when meeting for the first time is what you do for a living. When you really stop to think abou tit though, you are not a job. You're a person! And if you look at job loss as a personal setback, it could take longer to bounce back than if you view a layoff as a sign of the recession and opportunity to look for a new job that was better than your last one anyway. 3. Prioritize self-care. This is a big one as Worell points out, "When you’ve lost your job it is all too easy plant yourself on the couch, remote in one hand, beer or bag of chips in the other, and wallow in self-pity. Many do! But mental and emotional resilience requires physical resilience. So be intentional about taking care of YOU and doing whatever it takes to feel strong and fit." 4. Surround yourself with positive people. Ever spend time with someone who's completely a downer? Chances are, in a matter of moments you'll start thinking negative thoughts, too. It's key to spend time with people who lift you up, not drag you down. Worell advises, "Be intentional about who you hang out with and don’t get sucked into the vortex of those who want a marathon pity party. It wastes precious time and energy far better spent getting back into the workforce." In addition to positive people, you can read positive books and inspirational quotes, watch inspirational movies, and write in a journal. 5. Tap into your network. Asking for help may be a stumbling block for some people but what better time to tap into your network when you're actually seeking a job! Considering plenty of jobs never make it to job boards since they're filled through word-of-mouth, it's time to get on that train. Meet with contacts, spread the word, ask who they know but better yet, inform them of what you're looking for. The more specific you are, the easier it will be for them to help you. 6. Treat finding a job as your job. "Create structure in your day. Sure you have extra time on your hands than you had before, but you will be amazed at how little you can do in a day if you aren’t intentional about what you want to get done," Worell writes in the piece. "Create a job search plan with goals and small manageable steps. Then prioritize, structure your day and treat finding a job like a job." 7. Be kind. Sure, the job search may seem daunting at first and frustrating, but it's also uplifting when you make progress and get results. In addition to self-care, volunteering and being kind in general not only helps others, it helps ourselves, too! "When we give our time to help others, it helps us stop dwelling on our own problems, and makes us realize how much we have to be thankful for....However you look at it, there’s no better mood booster than making a difference for someone else, even when you wish your own life were different than it is."

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Seven Habits of Highly Effective Job Seekers

Vicki Salemi

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Vicki Salemi