5 Ways to Stay Positive while Job Hunting

Staying optimistic in a job hunt is essential. 

Nobody would employ desperate, glum-looking employees. Interviewers can smell a candidate rotting of pessimism and low self-esteem from miles away. 

So keep your spirits high by these 5 methods:

(1) Put yourself in good company

Having the support of friends, family and acquaintances can give you the extra boost. Say yes to outings, dinners and parties. You might discover you are not alone in your job hunt and you might get unexpected help. Talking to people who care for you may open up opportunities as they link you up with other people. It is also heart-warming when they include you in their prayers and give you their best wishes. 

Getting out of the house, doing something meaningful with the people around you also improves your social skills, preventing you from turning into a hermit or sociopath who thinks "I hate the world that hates me. Everybody hates me, that's why nobody is employing me!"

But if the people closest to your are a bitter and sour bunch, stay away from them and choose the company to immerse yourself in.

   

(2) Volunteer: Be involved in the community

You can't be devoting 24/7 of your time sending out resumes non-stop. In the middle of job hunt, take time to volunteer and get in touch with your community.

Find out what your community needs. When you provide for others and lend your skills, expertise and energies to better the community around you, it keeps you feeling wanted and it proves your ability to contribute to society.

Volunteering your skills keep your skills alive. You might even acquire new skills and gain experiences to boost your portfolio. Of course this shouldn't be the motivation but in giving, people often find themselves getting back so much more.

So if your interviewer asked what you have done in the months you were job hunting, you could honestly say you haven't been idle and  you can boast the skills and experiences gained.

(3) Do the things you love

If you have a hobby and felt you never had time for them while you were working or studying, do them now. 

If you always wanted to make that film, read that book, check out that place, meet up that person, do it now. 

If you love to play your guitar but didn't have time for it while working, play your guitar and do what you love. 

If you love to game and never had the time to game, take some time out to game. 

But here's the catch, indulge in moderation. Do the things you love to keep your passions and dreams alive but don't forget your goal of getting that job you want.

(4) Update & Upgrade

Not having work doesn't mean you simply let yourself lose track of time and the world. Keep yourself informed of what is happening around the world. Stay connected to your community. Know what is happening rather than withdraw into your private world of  internal struggles. Read the news and you will realise you are not alone. 

There are millions who are in the same struggle--jobless like you and me. Keeping yourself open to the world allows you to see beyond your own tiny perspective to look at the greater picture. Learn that the systems are changing and that the world is changing. Then internalise these facts and strategise how you can adapt and survive in this changing world.

In addition, sign yourself up for classes, training or workshops to equip you to meet the needs of employees. They can give you greater confidence in presenting yourself to prospective employers.

(5) Love yourself

Do not put yourself down even before the world has. If you do not perform the way you wanted to during interviews, please do not bang your head on the wall or torture yourself with self-blame and negativity. Performing badly in a dozen of interviews or tests does not mean the end of the world. 

There are still countless opportunities out there. Society has a place for everyone, you just have to find it. What you should do is to give yourself a hug, accept that you have not done your best and recognise that you will get better as you learn from the mistakes of each interview.

Give yourself plenty of hugs. If you are on the point of depression and an anxiety attack, remember that everything bad is not forever. Cry if it gives you the relief, eat some chocolates. When the negative emotions have drained off, everything will be ok. The unhappiness will be over. If you are already on an all point low, things cannot get lower and it can only look up.