- Get organised – spend good quality time planning your next move and how to start.
Having a plan will make things easier for you. Get a new notepad, write your goals down and break them down into actions that you can complete to move you towards those goals. Have a space to work on your applications, a clean and tidy area which inspires you to focus. Have a few hours each day assigned to progressive tasks. Tick off the tasks as your complete them – keep things simple.
- Develop good routines – good habits are very powerful things.
Declutter, make a list for the week and each day, structure your days sensibly without asking too much of yourself – be realistic as to what you want to achieve. Schedule in some flexibility, plan some exercise, plan your breaks, try to establish what works for you to give yourself the best chance of sticking to those routines. If you feel successful even if it is the little things which you are making progress with, then you are much more likely to repeat that action.
- Exercise – boost the happy hormones – endorphins trigger a positive feeling in the body.
Reduces stress, relaxes muscles, reduces tension, you will sleep better, it helps to battle anxiety, boosts your self-confidence, improves your workflow – making you more productive.
- Build your networks – identify the right people and engage with them.
A lot of this is being done online. Reconnect with people who could be beneficial, join networking groups, attend events, comment on relevant posts on business social media, be involved in conversations, support other businesses. Decide who you want to network with and search for them to build your network. Consider hosting a networking event yourself.
- Stay connected – it is too easy to lose touch with friends, colleagues and networks.
Make a conscious effort to stay connected with those who are important to you. Having a community and support network around you while you are job hunting is important. They can help you with applications, prepare you for interviews, give guidance on your approach, pick you up if there are rejections and celebrate when it’s good news.
- Seek support – there are plenty of resources out there to support your job search.
You may want support to help you through a job search, particularly if you have been made redundant, but also if you are looking to change your career path or haven’t applied for jobs in a little while. Consider talking to a professional if you are low in confidence or have felt a knock to your self-esteem. There is plenty of guidance from employment specialists about how to approach your job hunt. You can seek CV writing advice, practice interview questions with recruiters and attend networking events to connect with those who could help. Ask specialist recruiters or other professionals about the current jobs market – what transferable skills are being sought after, what industries are busy, what role would suit you best. Use the resources available to you to support your job search.
- Take some time out – daily job hunting can be exhausting. Take a break, get outside, hit the pause button from time to time.
Take a walk, make a delicious meal, go for a coffee, call your friends and family, consider a new hobby, think about volunteering for a time during your week. Consider things that break up the days and week to keep you energised and focussed.