Beat the Unemployment Blues!
Okay, admit it. You hate job-hunting. Lots and lots of people feel that way. Too often, fearful or discouraged job hunters project their gloomy attitude to those around them, while unresolved depression can add to your feeling that career options open to you are bleak. NOT TRUE!
Face Facts. Most job hunts today last four to six months.
Be on the look-out for these things that contribute to the blues: • Negative self-talk
• Uncontrolled fear and anxiety
• On-going depression
• Devaluing yourself and/or reinforcing low self-esteem
• Unsupportive or dysfunctional personal relationships
• Moping - feeling sorry for yourself
Here are six action steps that will enable you to fight back and take control over your future, and help you to get rid of the job search blues.
1. Assess your marketability. Define your strengths, your innate talents, and note the results you have achieved by using these on the job. Your resume, cover letters, and all employer conversations must emphasize how you can contribute to the company. Skills outdated? Now is the perfect time to take some classes, read books, and go to trade association meetings. Get the necessary training to develop your talents in new ways to open the door to new jobs and different industries. Building your future on your strengths is the fastest way to achieve
great success.
2. Focus on future success. If something is not working, don't just mope around. Try something new, get professional career counseling, and take a job search class. Exercise - walking is a good way to start the day because it lifts your mood, gets you dressed each morning and out of the house. It's productive, which is important. Listen to feel-good music - it is a universal mood improver. Then when your mind is more positively focused, tackle your job search activities for the day.
3. Target your resume. Be concise using relevant information that outlines experience related to the job title you are applying for. Long general resumes are a BIG mistake. Showing your past actions and the results you achieved in your past positions is what employers want to see. Define and quantify results where you saved time or money, added to the bottom line, or made
productivity improvements.
4. Use a cover letter. Employers complain that today's job hunters are lazy. They create NO effective cover letter at all, or send a generic form letter. Potential employers want to see a customized letter that hits on how you have the skills for, and can perform well, in the job position available. Writing a good letter gives you a much better chance of getting an interview. Keep the letter focused on summarizing your top selling points, education, and work experience noting results you've achieved in past positions.
5. NETWORK! Talk to everyone you know. Ask specific questions to find people who can direct you to others inside companies that could possibly hire you. Ask contacts if they can identify someone internal so you can get that person to forward your resume on to human resources. That's a guaranteed way to get looked at and to get your search in
high gear.
6. Be productive. When you are unemployed you cannot spend every waking hour job hunting or you will get very depressed. Spend 25 hours each week on the search; then tackle some other constructive projects. Work at tasks where you feel you've accomplished something - paint a room, plant some flowers, clean out your garage or closets, redecorate the kitchen or put your photos in an album. These accomplishments will help you feel that you are making progress, even if the job search process
is slow.
© Copyright 2009 Robin Ryan. All rights reserved.
America’s top career coach, Robin Ryan has appeared on Oprah and Dr. Phil, and is the best-selling author of: What to Do with the Rest of Your Life; 60 Seconds & You’re Hired!; Winning Resumes; and Winning Cover Letters. Her newest book is Soaring On Your Strengths. ?Robin has a busy career counseling practice, and is a popular national speaker. Contact her at: 425.226.0414 or email: RobinRyan@aol.com. Visit her website at: www.RobinRyan.com.