HOW DO YOU STAY ACTIVE IN YOUR JOB SEARCH?
"I'm tired." I hear from many clients. The conversation goes something like this:
Client: I'm tired.
Me: You're tired.
Client: Yes, tired.
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Me: Tired of....?
Client: Everything....
Me: (Silence)
Client: This....
Me: (Silence)
Client: Housework....
Me: (Silence)
Client: Homework....
Client: Homework....
Me: (Silence)
Client: Driving the kids to their activities....
Client: Driving the kids to their activities....
Me: (Silence)
Client: Having to come up with meals....
Client: Having to come up with meals....
Me: (Silence)
Client: Not having insurance....
Me: (Silence) "My life didn't please me, so I created my life.” ― Coco Chanel
Client: Not having enough money to pay the bills....
Me: (Silence)
Client: Chasing after everyone to get anything done....
Client: Chasing after everyone to get anything done....
Me: (Silence)
Client: Everything....
Client: Everything....
Me: Well...We have a lot to work on. Let's get started.
Obviously there is more to the conversation from there, definitely including providing support and acknowledge how overwhelming a job search can be when you have a family and all of their needs at home as well. But, pretty quickly I try to offer suggestions on how to deal with all of the above (sometimes more!) or recognize which of the listed items can be relegated to to the "can't control" pile.
YOU CAN STAY ACTIVE IN YOUR JOB SEARCH EVEN IF YOU FEEL OVERWHELMED
I would almost say that if you are feeling overwhelmed it is especially important to stay active in your job search. Why is it important to stay active in your job search when you feel overwhelmed? The answer is simple: So you can get a job. That's your goal, right? Ask yourself these questions:
- Will I be less overwhelmed if I don't do anything today?
- Will my concerns (above +) be addressed by not doing anything today?
- Will my situation be enhanced by not doing anything today?
- Will my family/loved ones benefit by not doing anything today?
KEEP FROM FEELING OVERWHELMED IN YOUR JOB SEARCH
Here is a brief list of things you can do to keep from feeling overwhelmed in a job search:
- Keep a job search schedule
- Coordinate it with the family schedule
- Review the schedule with your family
- Post your schedule in a prominent place
- Make sure you vary your activities daily
- Review your activities at the end of the day and give yourself credit
- Plan your next day's activities
When you feel overwhelmed by something determine if you can control the situation. If not, let it go and remind yourself that you let it go as needed. It is not easy to break the habit of worrying about your list of concerns, but it is possible. If you can control or address the concern, then take care of it, make a plan to take care of it and/or ask for help in addressing it. Then get back to work!
Other articles that may be of interest:
Aug 09, 2012
Job search tip of the day: Make a To Do List and Cross Things Off. It is easy to get overwhelmed if you are conducting an active job search! Throw in the fact your home and family life continue to require your thoughts, effort, ...
Oct 01, 2012
If you are aching for some response to your job search efforts you must be active in your job search. There is just no way around it. If you have to force yourself, enlist others to prod you, or use an elaborate system of rewards ...
Aug 10, 2012
Work somewhere you would be interested in working; Know a lot of people; Be active in groups - civic, business and industry, non-profits, etc; Respect enough to consult for advice on how to conduct your job search. Go out of ...
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