Taking a deliberate approach and calculating the time you spend job searching will help you keep your sanity, nurture a positive outlook, and will be a more effective way to conduct your job search. Here are a few tips to help you worry less and keep your spirits up during this tough time.
1. Schedule Your Job Search Time: Decide how many hours a day you will devote to searching for jobs online or via any other source. Yes, schedule it. Just like you had a job before, well, job searching is a job. Of course, I understand that it will be a full-time job and that if you are in desperate need, it is difficult to relax. All I am saying is take some time off.
Set your own hours (that is a perk) but do standardize those hours, and take a lunch break. Believe me,taking a pragmatic, organized, and healthy approach to job searching will yield better results. Speaking of organized, take a look at Jibber Jobber for a great career management tool that will help you keep your job search campaign organized.
2. Track Your Household Expenses and Set a Budget: Many people are afraid to look at the facts and don’t write down their expenses as dilligently as they should so the truth is not staring back at them. I tell you though, you must write down your budget plans. Once you get over your initial shock (or maybe a surprising relief), you will feel much more in control.
Scrutinize your spending habits. If perhaps there is only one household income now and you find that your expenses are way too high-- it is time to say goodbye to some unnecessary expenses. Don’t let this cutting down of expenses get you down. It is temporary. Also, schedule this budgeting and tracking activity (perhaps once or twice a week). You decide how often you will jot down your expenses, but when it is not time to track and budget -- don’t do it. Take a bit of time for yourself, friends, and your family.
3. Workout:I know. I have a hard time with this one myself. But, I tell you this, It truly does help release stress and bottled up frustration (not that I have much of it). In addition, it helps to decrease depression since your body has natural chemical releases of endorphins that are initiated when you workout. A simple walk daily or a low-cost exercise video you can follow at home (Yoga? Pilates?). I am positive your local public library carries exercise videos/DVDs. If you can find a way to workout in front of your computer, there are tons of exercise videos on You Tube. Personally, I enjoy Yoga Weight loss for Dummies . (Yes, it has worked. Thank you very much.)
4. Nurture Your Spiritual Side:Whether it's appreciating nature, reading positive self-help books, or participating in an organized religion, feed your spirit. I recently received this PDF by email. I am sharing it with you hoping you find it enlightening. It was written by Janet White. Download Your Layoff the Law of Attraction
5. Network Cards: And of course, be prepared wherever you go with mini resumes (Network cards). If you need help preparing this, you know who to call! : - )
This is a time for all us to pull together, share ideas, and roll up our sleeves and work our magic. If you have any information to share with others, feel free to post. Everyone has been unemployed at one point or another. Perhaps you can share tips on how you are planning to keep your spirit up a bit during this challenging period.
Bless,
Rosa E. Vargas
Certified Resume Writer
