Restrictions are slowly be eased, businesses are reopening, and toes are being tentatively dipped into the re-employment pool. If you’ve spent some significant time being “in transition,” then this is the time to reassess your mindset BEFORE you venture into the job search waters.
Shut Down, NOT Shut Out
Yes, it’s been a frustrating few months. Job postings ground to a halt. Interviews were cancelled, with no indication of when or if they’ll be rebooked. And maybe even people you know and love have been added to the “in transition” list. It’s all been a hit to your confidence. I’ve found I’m a little more irritated and fed up, which makes me want to give up. But, just because things around me are shut down, doesn’t mean I have to shut down too.
Experience Still Applies
You have experience… in the job search market. That puts you ahead of those who have been recently been impacted. Everything you’ve learned, all those connections you’ve made, all the webinars you’ve watched, all the habits you established well before “social distancing” rules were enacted… you are more ready NOW than you’ve ever been to jump back in.
Time to Find a “Search Buddy”
Poke around your network, find a connection that’s also “in transition” and start mentoring. Share the information, tips and tricks you’ve learned about looking for work. And, be willing to listen and learn from your new job search body too. You’ll inspire each other, support each other, keep each other accountable and you might even find have some fun doing it!
But Before Everything…
Remember I said you need to reassess your mindset? You need to be completely aware of what you’re feeling before you find your job search buddy. If you wake up and are miserable, sad, or angry and can’t identify why, or someone calls you out for being a downer and you didn’t even know you’re being “that person,” it’s time to create a mindset plan. The only way I could get a handle on my moods was to…
1. Take my emotional temperature frequently
· Either as I felt things or when I was told by others I was acting a little out of character
2. STOP, THINK AND WRITE
· I used the notes app on my phone and listed off the one-word emotions I was feeling.
3. Ask myself why?
· Once I wrote down ALL the emotions I was feeling, I looked for the reasons behind what I was feeling
4. Tell myself it’s ok and move forward
· I would accept the reasons behind my emotions and find satisfaction in process
It would give me back a more positive perspective of the day. It also helped me become more self-aware. And being more self-aware meant I can now catch my negative feelings quicker and deal with them much more effectively.
There are many ways to help build a positive mindset. The four steps I go through work for me. I encourage you to explore other methods so you can find what works for.
Comments