Job hunt frustration: How to stay motivated when seeking a new role
Whether you’re in the market for a new role at a different company or your first role in an entirely new industry, the search for a job can be demoralising – particularly if you’re receiving negative feedback, or no feedback at all. When applying for jobs, there are usually a vast number of applicants who are competing for the same job as you, who are all likely experiencing the same setbacks as you are.
However, what might set you apart from the other candidates is your determination and professionalism when looking for new work. With this in mind, we’ve put together a series of tips to keep you motivated while you look for a new job and ways to stay motivated in your current role.
Quick links:
- How to stay motivated when applying for jobs
- Tips for staying motivated in your current role when searching for jobs
How to stay motivated when applying for jobs
The job hunting process is laborious at the best of times, but staying motivated is the key to landing your next role. Use the tips below during your job hunt to ensure that you stay motivated.
Set manageable goals
Job hunting can be overwhelming; it’s almost a full-time job in itself. But you can take some of the stress out of it by setting yourself some realistic targets to help your job search.
Things like practising interview techniques, writing cover letters, or thinking of evidence to back up the skills listed on your CV can greatly benefit you when the right job comes. Other targets might be to spend an hour each evening searching, so that the new job is in reach.
Keep up with your industry
When you’re competing for a new role, it takes more than the right skill set to stand out. Keeping up with the latest trends and developments in your industry will help you interview confidently and set you apart from other candidates. It shows prospective employers that you’re proactive, dedicated to your work and the kind of ‘big picture’ thinker that can drive their company’s growth.
Here are some essential tips on how to stay abreast of comings and goings in your industry:
- Follow thought leaders in your industry on LinkedIn
- Read industry blogs, journals and sign up to key mailing lists
- Listen to industry-specific or business development podcasts
- Set a Google Alert for news topics you want to follow
Get serious about networking
Research suggests that up to 60% of roles are never advertised, meaning that to secure them, you’ve got to know someone in the know. So, it’s important to be proactive in your job search and connect with the companies you want to work with.
Attending in-person events, proactively growing your LinkedIn network, or reestablishing bonds with existing connections can drastically improve your chances of securing your new job.
It doesn’t have to be hiring managers that you connect with; old colleagues, or friends from school/college/university are likely to know if there’s a vacancy, particularly if you’ve worked in the same industry. This is a valuable way to expand your professional network.
Follow up and ask for feedback
Whether you’ve missed out in the early stages or post-interview, making the time to follow up and ask for feedback could give you the edge next time around. You can turn a rejection into a worthwhile connection simply by asking for feedback and asking the person in charge of hiring if they would consider you for a future role. With a touch more experience and maybe just a bit of luck, you might find yourself landing a job through unexpected circumstances.
Ask them questions like: Do you lack a key skill they were looking for? Was there something missing from your interview? Did another candidate have more specific experience?
Keep a note of what you can improve on, and you’ll be a step ahead at your next interview. To learn more, read our tips on how to follow up after an interview.
Upskill yourself
While you look for jobs, you don’t have to be stagnant; you can continuously improve so that employers have fewer reasons to decline your application. Online courses or in-person training can help to bolster your hard skills, while your soft skills can be improved organically through your current job. Seek out opportunities like public speaking or organisation to improve this while you look for other roles.
Think big! When you land your new role, what skills will you need to perform at your best?
Make time for your personal goals
It can be draining to be constantly thinking about a new job role, so don’t forget to look after your personal goals, too. This could be achieved through making a conscious effort to see friends, completing an exercise-related goal, or reading X number of books in a month.
Tips for staying motivated in your current role when searching for jobs
The job hunt isn’t the only thing that can drain motivation. If you’re looking for other jobs, it can be easy to have already checked out at your current place of work, negatively affecting your work and relationships with colleagues.
Here are some tips to stay motivated right until your last day of employment.
Shift your perception
Rather than focusing on the negatives (that are causing you to look for other roles), focus on the positives of your job. It’s unlikely that the entire job or company are bad, so shift your perspective to look at your job through a positive lens. Things such as your workplace relationships, working arrangements, or location can all be motivating factors that will shift your outlook while you secure a new job. Remember, staying in your new role a little while longer isn’t the end of the world.
Seek out projects you enjoy
In your current role, there are probably projects that would spur some newfound enjoyment in your job. This could be helping out with specific tasks or projects, or it could be as simple as offering to solve a problem for a colleague. These small wins are strong motivators when your motivation is dipping in your current role, giving you a boost when you need it most.
Take care of yourself outside of work
As we mentioned earlier, the temptation to have your entire life focused on one negative aspect of your life can lead to a spiral of misery. Instead, focus on the positives that you enjoy – your job might even allow you to enjoy these things through flexible or hybrid working. A good chat with a friend, or a home-cooked meal, can boost your mood just enough to spur you through rough patches of employment.
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