We know how stressful the job hunt can get, especially in the Middle East region. We’ve all been there. But, no matter how hard things get, you should never lose hope. There are many opportunities for you and all you need to do is keep up your energy and positive spirit.
Bayt.com is here to help with our list of the top 10 ways to get you motivated during your job search:
- Break down your job search into small, manageable goals. Instead of just saying, “I need to find a job,” write down specific tasks that you can accomplish daily. These tasks can be “set up two informational interviews” or “review my CV with two colleagues.” This will keep you from being overwhelmed, but still keep you on track for landing your dream job.
- Find your career crush. Who do you aspire to be in your career? Is it a VP of Marketing or a renowned journalist? Look them up and see what steps they took in their career path. This can give you some inspiration or even some new ideas on what kind of job roles can lead you to your dream job.
- Take a day off! Seriously, if you’ve been at this for a long time, then you probably need a day to rest! Take a day or two for some self-care and de-stressing. When you land an interview, you don’t want to be burnt out and on the brink of a mental breakdown. So, take some time to relax and then get back to it with fresh eyes and a rested mind.
- Get feedback and constructive criticism from a trusted source. We know it can be intimidating to pass around your CV or cover letter to friends and colleagues but feedback is key, especially if your job search has been unsuccessful so far. Send it to people you trust to give positive and negative feedback. The positive feedback will keep your confidence up while the negative feedback can encourage you to make changes and take another stab at the job hunt. If you’re stuck, remember that you can always opt for a professionally written CV and cover letter.
- Keep structure in your day! Maybe you don’t have a work schedule yet, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t have a schedule at all. It’s easy to lose motivation when you lack structure in your time and this can lead to feeling unproductive and less motivated. Wake up every morning at the hour you would normally wake up for a job, dress up like you’re going to work, and then tackle the job search like you would tackle a full-time job.
- Set targets. Set targets for how many jobs applications you want to send or informational interviews you want to set up each week. Having weekly quotas can give you the extra motivation when you’re feeling a midweek slump or have had a bad day. It also gives you the flexibility if you need to take a personal day.
- Reward yourself! When you hit targets or have a great interview, make sure you reward yourself. You can reward yourself with a free night to spend with friends, your favorite meal or restaurant, or even a spending budget to go shopping. Looking forward to these little rewards can lift your mood while keeping your eye on the prize.
- Have a hobby you’re passionate about. It’s easy to get fully sucked into the job hunt, but make sure you’re also taking time to pursue your passions outside of the job search. Doing something you love a few times a week will keep you in good spirits and help you through the harder parts of the job hunt.
- Get inspired! Don’t underestimate the benefits of an inspiring talk that you can find on Google or YouTube. You can also find inspiring talks here on TedTalk. Listening to the stories of others and finding parallels in your journey can give you just the encouragement you needed.
- Remember your self-worth! It’s easy to lose confidence and lose sight of your self-worth when you’re facing rejection over and over. Write down some positive things about yourself whether it’s a long history of volunteering or stellar recommendation letters. Make sure to also include redeemable personality traits about yourself, like if you have a lot of compassion and empathy, or you tell the best jokes. This will ensure that you keep perspective during your job hunt and a well-rounded perception of yourself.
Bonus point: Don’t forget the abundant resources and tools that are available for you on Bayt.com for free. Apply for 10,000+ jobs on any given day, read up the industry's latest research, engage with your fellow job seekers, and establish your own personal brand online.
