KEEPING YOUR SPIRITS UP: Dealing with the ups and downs of searching for a new job

Once you get past the immediate shock and anger about losing your job, the emotional roller coaster does not stop.  We’ve all been there…including ME!

There are some things that you can do to make the job search process more bearable.

1)      Finding a job IS a job.  Get up in the morning just as you would if you were going to the office.  Create a daily routine for yourself.

2)      Take advantage of the 4 main sources of job leads:  direct contact (letters, phone calls, etc.); contact search firms; job search sites (CareerBuilder, Monster, The Ladders, etc.) and lastly, look at newpaper listings (WSJ, NYT and local papers)

3)      Keep a log of your activities and your leads.  This will serve as a visible confirmation of the efforts and progress you are making…you will feel less like you are “spinning your wheels”.

4)      Keep a detailed list of your solid new job leads.  You may get many at first.  As you go through discussions with search firms or companies, the list will coalesce and soon you will have 5-7 solid opportunities.  This is a “critical mass” and will likely result in an offer of a new job.

Searching for the right job or career change is a deliberate process.  Usually landing the right opportunity will not happen overnight.  Figure your job search will last as long as a month for each $10,000 of salary you are seeking.

A good work ethic, a daily routine, and down time on weekends will help keep up your spirits and will land you your next career opportunity.