How do you maintain momentum in the job search?

When I speak or network, it is not unusual to see the pain on people’s faces who are struggling to find a job. It is for those people that I started Job Doctors International, LLC.

Last week I responded to a reporter about how those unemployed for over a year can maintain momentum, reduce mental and emotional pain, and even stave off depression. This week I will share some ideas.

Here are my initial thoughts that I shared with the reporter.

1.     Identify for yourself and your family articles that describe how difficult the economy and job market are today. The problem is that “everybody” is being challenged. The issue may not be you. Ask your family to team with you through this tough time. Otherwise, the family may break up which would create even more challenges.

2.     Examine what you are doing. If you are just sending out resumes in response to job boards, job fairs, unsolicited recruiters and HR, then you might be better off to play the lottery.

3.     Find a professional who can help you focus on how to bypass the gatekeepers by learning to sell and market yourself into decision makers. We call our process Jobpreneurship™.  Understanding how the more advanced job search strategies work can give you a tremendous excitement and mental boost.

4.     Consider finding another career, a contract job, or a lower paying job just to get cash flow coming into your bank account. You can then focus on developing your plan to get where you really want to go and develop the skills to get there.

5.     Set time aside daily for exercise, healthy and moderately eating, time in meditation and prayer, and family activities.

6.     Ask for help from friends, family, church, community, and transition groups (who are in the same boat). Get a few like-minded job seekers to meet with every week to encourage one another and to hold each other accountable.

7. If needed, consider mental health professionals. Many counselors can help without medications and at a lower cost. If serious depression is a concern, seek help from a doctor.