When you’ve been job searching for some time, it’s hard not to feel frustrated. Every time you don’t hear back from a potential employer or don’t get the job can lead to feelings of sadness and defeat. But being positive is crucial to job search success!

It’s not always easy to do, so here are some tips to help you stay positive while job searching.

How to Stay Positive While Job Searching

Talk It Out Even though it might feel like complaining, sometimes a little venting to someone you trust can make you feel better. If you can, talk with your partner or a friend about what you’re going through.

Or, consider speaking with other job seekers who might reaffirm that what you’re feeling is normal. If you can, reach out to your mentor (or right here in the Jobcase Community, to see if they have any insights or advice that could take your job search in a new direction.

Adjust Your Expectations Remember that a job search is going to take some time. It’s uncommon to get hired for a job when you’ve just started the search. (And if you do get a job offer immediately, make sure that it isn’t a job scam!)

Create a Routine Job searching can feel like a job in and of itself. And while you should treat finding a job like a job, doing it all day every day won’t help you stay positive, particularly if it feels like you’re working every day without seeing results.

Create a routine that works for you and gives you some balance. You might spend your mornings dedicated to your job search, then keep your afternoons free for other activities. That way, you won’t feel like all you’re doing is job hunting.

Set a Plan in Motion It goes without saying that the goal of your job search is to get a job. The thing is, getting hired for a job consists of many smaller tasks, like creating a customized resume and cover letter for every job you apply to, making positive contributions to your network, and researching companies that you might want to work for.

To achieve your ultimate goal of getting hired, break it up into smaller, bite-sized goals. How you organize them is entirely up to you—you might opt for daily, weekly, or monthly goals, or even a combination of all three. Just make sure that your job search goals are actionable, measurable, and achievable in whatever time frame you set.

Acknowledge Your Wins It’s easy to feel negative about your job search, especially when you realize it could take as many as 10 or even 20 applications just to get an interview. To help stay positive while job searching, make time to acknowledge your wins, no matter how small.

Look at your resume or portfolio to remind yourself how far you’ve come over the course of your career. Review your job search plan and take pride in all you’ve accomplished since the last time you reviewed it. Sometimes, having that reminder can make you feel better about yourself and give you a boost of confidence.

Take a Class During your job search downtime, why not break up the monotony by learning something new? Not only can taking a class help you feel like you’re more in control of your job search, but it can also add newfound experience or education to your resume. Not to mention, classes are a great way to meet new people and expand your network. Plus, getting out of the house (and away from your job search for a while) can do wonders for your mindset.

Volunteer Volunteering during your job search can do more than help you stay positive. There is, of course, the positive of lending your support to a cause you believe in. And building some time to volunteer into your routine can also help you beat the feeling that all you’re doing all day is job searching.

Beyond those positives, though, volunteering during your job search is a great way to keep your current skills up to date, gain new skills, and broaden your network. Plus, who knows? You may even decide to switch careers!

Treat Yourself On days when your job search is really getting you down, make yourself a priority. Skip the job search for the day and do something you love instead.

Take a long walk, head to the coffee shop to linger over a tasty drink and an interesting book, go for a long lunch with a friend—whatever it is that isn’t job-search related and lifts your spirits. A simple splurge can reinvigorate you and put a more positive spin on your job search.

Brighter Days Ahead Remember, it’s often a slow and steady race—not a sprint—to connect with a new job. But if you stay the course, remain positive, and devote a little time to your job search every day, you’ll be starting your first day with your new employer in no time.

No matter what kind of job you’re searching for or why you’re looking, Jobcase offers plenty of companies who are ready to hire. It’s up to you to apply. Reach out to people in the Jobcase Community to help you along the way. Don’t forget to share your experience. We in the community would love to hear from you, share your progress right here in the Jobcase Community! #jobsearch #interview #firstjob

Searching for a new job can sometimes feel like falling down the rabbit hole. Opportunities are swirling around everywhere, you’re reaching out, you may even be interviewing, but offers aren’t coming in as quickly as you’d like. How long does searching for a job really take?

The quick answer is 8 weeks or so, sometimes longer. Even once you land an interview, 52% of recruiters say the average time-to-hire takes 3 weeks. Overall, you should expect your job search to last anywhere from a few weeks to several months.

When it comes to how quickly you are able to find a job, there are so many variables that can affect your timeline. And some of those are factors outside your control—like the economic state of the country and the amount of jobs available in your field or search area. At the moment, the time it takes to find a new job is increasing. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the average duration of unemployment in October 2020 was 21.2 weeks. In May 2020, this number was much closer to the average at just 7.7 weeks.

Factors you can control Factors you can't control The amount of time you spend on your search The current state of the economy Responding within the first 24 hours of a job post High numbers of applicants to a certain role Keeping your certifications up to date and learning new skills with online classes A highly competitive industry Applying early and responding quickly to interview requests Internal delays within the hiring company Senior positions or a brand new role for a company may take longer as you work your way through interviews with multiple decision makers. Sometimes, your niche may accelerate your search, like companies looking to hire female software engineers because they’re in such demand. If you’re in a competitive industry, it may take longer to find a job because the amount of applicants for each opening is so high. If you don’t strike right after a role is posted, you may be buried in the mix.

Finding a new job takes effort and time, but there are factors you can control that can speed up your search—like polishing up your resume, practicing your interview performance and networking.# #jobsearch #application #advice

I just think that, jobcase would give me the boost to be able to succeed

I hope everyone had a nice and peaceful New Year. It’s the official end of the holiday season. I still feel a little slow even though it's already Wednesday. So of course I went to my default–WebMD to look for advice on coping with post holiday blues 😆. I actually really like these ideas on setting big audacious goals BAG:

• 🌐Learn a new language
• 💡Change career (check this guide on making successful career changes)
• 💪Volunteer
• 💵Make more money (check these 5 ways to make quick money or 6 apps to make money)
• 💞Join a dating service
• 🌳Plant a tree

I’m already looking for a new online class that I can take this year. What would be your BAG in 2022?

#worklifehacks

After a year as the Quality Manager, (firing of the General Manager who promoted me to that position), and 5 months with the new General Manager, I was called in to the new General Manager’s office. He said my performance was not what he wanted; he slid a Performance Improvement Plan in front of me, to sign. I knew this was really a termination notice, with a 3 month notice. I signed it and immediately called a talent recruiter.

The recruiter informed me that my boss had already contacted her, looking for a candidate for my job. (She asked me if I was interested in a Quality Manager job with my company, 3 days old!) But, a candidate had already been interviewed!

I found another job that paid $15,000/yr better. I quit that job as soon as I got the new job offer, with no notice.

Since then, that company has been through 4 quality managers. They fired the guy who fired me. Based on recommendations of current co-workers, that company called me with an offer of hire.

Should I consider their job offer? (They are willing to make it worth my while.)

Share in the comments below!

#watercooler #wouldyourather

Hello everyone, my name is Valerie and I have been out of work for like 10 months now. I am very eager to get back into the work force. My career lies in Human Resource Management and working from home is something that I would love to explore. Or maybe something else into a whole other field, who knows. #workfromhome