Job search stalled? Start here
Posted on April 20, 2024 by ARICIA SHAFFER, MSE, One of Thousands of Career Coaches on Noomii.
When your job search stalls, consider initiating these 3 steps to get it revved up again.
Often, clients feel they’re done coaching when they have learned HOW to conduct their job search, but like any other goal, the “how” is usually the easy part. The hard part is maintaining momentum, navigating obstacles, and fully utilizing the tools you have and skills you’ve learned.
That being said, people often come back to coaching when their job search goes off into the ditch. They’re confused because they know WHAT to do. They just can’t seem to DO it. Here’s what I do to help them.
1) Get in touch with your internal motivation.
People will sometimes try to reward themselves. They tell themselves that once they get the job, they’ll buy something they want. Or once they have their resume items put together for the writer, they’ll take the weekend off. The problem is that these external motivators rarely work. It makes the task at hand seem even more unpleasant and honestly, if you want something, you’re likely to just go out and get it.
Instead, consider why you’re on the job search. Yes, you need to pay rent and feed the dog,, but beyond that: What’s fulfilling about work? Think about the pieces of the work that you miss and enjoy. It can be socializing with coworkers, learning new things, feeling productive, the prestige, or the work itself. But drop your anchor at your “why” and tap into it anytime you feel like putting things off.
2. Break the goals down into a specific plan with assignments. Then get it on your calendar and treat it like an appointment.
When people are stuck in their job search, I find that they often set a deadline for themselves to accomplish pretty big goals – finish their resume or investigate various companies, to network or research. And then they don’t do it. Why does that happen?
Well, if I asked you to build a house by June 1st, you’d think I was bonkers, right? First, most of us don’t even know HOW to build a house. Plus, that’s such a HUGE thing. And only a few months to do it? No way!
But what if you had a bunch of fun little kits to put together with excellent instructions and guidance as you needed it – as well as designated times to work on things? Makes it a whole lot easier, right? It can help with your job search, too. Break it down into sections, then goals (like preparing for interviews), then pleasant specifics (practice interviewing with my coach, with a friend over lunch, or with AI). Set aside time to do each piece – preferably at the same time each week.
3. Start with easy stuff and make it fun.
Our nature to avoid pain and suffering. And yet our culture glorifies it. “They call it work because it’s unpleasant.” What a dreadful metric! One of the reasons it’s so important to make your job search fun – or at least pleasant – is so that you’ll be consistent, but also, so that you’ll be more likely to network and interview well. You’ll also be more likely to get a better salary and benefits package because YOU’LL come across as relaxed and pleasant.
So how do you do that exactly? First, stay in your comfort zone. Your brain will work better, you’ll feel more confident AND competent. Take networking. If you like talking on the phone, do it that way. Going out for drinks? Fine. Email – also great. You’ll see advice on how to network and that you must get out of your comfort zone, but I think the key is to do it in a way that works for you. You’ll seek out more networking opportunities and do better with them. And you’re more likely to succeed.
A little trick I’ve borrowed from professional organizing is to set a timer for a tolerable amount of time – 10 or 15 minutes perhaps. Do the task for that amount of time and when the buzzer goes off, you can quit or keep going. Each time you hear the “ding” it feels gratifying. This tool can help you make it past the hardest part – getting started.
Feel free to share our thoughts and experiences on this topic and please feel free to reach out for a complimentary session if you’re feeling stuck.
