Motivation During a Job Hunt - How to Stay Motivated While Looking For a Job

"A downturn is really the time to prepare for the inevitable upswing!"

Staying motivated when things aren't going the way we'd like can be challenging. Recently someone left me a note on my blog asking me how can they stay motivated while looking for a job. After thinking it over, I came up with the above quote.

I learned about what lies at the heart of this quote while I was a basketball player and once I became a basketball coach this theory was one to live by. When you're two or more points down in the game is when you have to really prepare for the tide to turn. You have to tap into your preparation resources and strategize to swing things your way. Sometimes you may still lose the game, but you can take heart that you were well prepared for the opportunity to win and then move on to the next game. This analogy of bring in a game, experiencing a downturn and being adequately prepared fits many different times in our lives, but especially when one is looking for a job in a saturated market.

Losing anything can make us feel like we're no longer in control of our lives, and this is especially true when we lose a job. So I suggest that you get to work. I mean get to work on yourself and those things that are in your immediate control. For example:

--> Polish up your resume. I mean really polish it up. Send it to a resume makeover specialist and get that baby to shine!

--> Decide if you want to continue to work in the same field or change career paths. Examine your life's purpose and mission statement for indicators that your interests may have shifted. If you don't have a written purpose and mission statement do some research on how to and get to writing!

--> Research the industry and company that you're interested in. What's the culture in the specific company you're interested in? You should know more about the industry or company than the person you're going to interview with. (the internet makes this very very easy to do)

--> Try to find out something about the person you're interviewing with. Today the movement is towards authentic connection and more transparency.

--> Use social networking to your advantage. Yes, you'll have lots of time on your hands and you should devise a schedule that will have you doing part of your job search on the net. On the net, be vocal about your job search. Ask for leads from peers. Be sure to use Facebook, Twitter & Linkedin to create free profiles. On Facebook and Twitter you can even search for companies that you're interested in and begin to engage with them socially but remember to be subtle. There are lots of articles and tips on blogs out there about how to use Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin to your advantage.

--> Learn from others. A great site that will give you inspiration and further insight about job hunting is howigotmyjob.com. Real people sharing real stories about how they got their job.

--> Give yourself an attitude makeover. Yes, losing your job stings your pocketbook and it can definitely deflate your attitude. This is the time to make attitude adjustment your top priority. Spend at least 15 minutes a day reading articles or a book that are all about keeping the right attitude that will help you move forward.

These tips will help you stay motivated and keep you focused on moving forward as you attract the job that will fill your pockets and give you fulfillment in you quest to live your dreams.

Denise is the creator of The Motivated Mindset System. She also offers free weekly teleseminars, as well as online courses with a workshop environment to help you achieve you create, transform and thrive in your life and your biz!

Get your free report "5 Tips for Staying Motivated" at http://www.increaseyourmotivationmojo.com

Job Hunting Tip: What Employers Are Looking For In You

One of the most dramatic changes in the 21st Century job market is in the way employers consider you when they first lay eyes on you.

For example, if you think that it's your resume that will get you a job, you're in for a long, LONG job search!

Or if you're intent on proving yourself based on your work history . . . what you used to do for someone else . . . get ready for disappointment and rejection.

And if your confidence is based on your ability to passively answer all the questions an interviewer throws at you, you already lost.

Today's employers are looking for people with energy. And they pick up on your energy before they even formally meet you. Do you exhibit the energy employers are looking for?

Energetic people exude vigor, enthusiasm and drive. They want and need to be active. Employers can sense this quality in a person almost as soon as they enter the room. They have a spring in their step and a drive that puts a sparkle in their eyes.

All this occurs even before you open your mouth. We know from experience that an employer or interviewer will make a go/no-go decision about you in a matter of seconds all based on the sense of energy you communicate when they first lay eyes on you.

So, if you are not this type of person, it would be wise to practice how to look and act energetically so that you can make a good first impression. It really makes a big difference because job opportunities are literally won or lost depending on how you enter a room.

Being aware of employers' expectations is critical to your job search success. The old-fashioned job hunting techniques focused all the attention on YOU . . . your work history, your past accomplishments, your academic and other credentials, your qualifications, your objectives.

But all that's changed. Today employers expect you to know what THEIR needs are and how you can fill them going forward. Displaying energy is the first step.

Paul Megan writes for EEI, the world-class pioneer in alternative job search techniques and non-traditional career advancement strategies . . . since 1985. Grab our stunning FREE REPORT: “How To Lock Up A High-Paying Job In 14 Days (Or Less)!” [http://www.fastest-job-search.com]