It’s time to look for a new job – how are you feeling? Nervous? Daunted? Lacking confidence? It’s only natural to feel a little apprehensive when getting yourself out there into the job market, it’s a big world with a lot of big players! Plus, when you’ve got bills to pay, people to support and a career to forge, finding the right job is one of the most important things we will do in our lives. No wonder many people are put off at the thought of having to look for a new role – it’s kind of a big deal!
For this reason, you may find yourself stagnating in a dead-end job (“It’s not that bad, and I’m used to it now”), putting up with a tyrant of a manager (“He only made me cry TWICE, it could be worse”) or staying in a job you simply hate (“I’ll just stick it out a few more months”). All of this, simply to delay having to hunt for a new role; change and the unknown can be scary, but sometimes enough is enough and it’s time to move forward.
In some situations, the job hunt may feel like a scary prospect purely because it has become necessary. Losing your job or being made redundant can be a knock to your confidence and make you feel like the pressure is on to secure a new role as quickly as possible.
We tend to put off things we aren’t sure about, so you can soon find yourself saying “I’ll sort my CV tomorrow”, “I’ll apply for that job once I’ve cleaned the house” or “next week, I’ll look for a job for sure!”. And before you know it, another month has gone by.
We’re here to tell you that the job hunt, while it’s important, it’s nothing you should be feeling intimidated by – here’s why:
You’re Not Alone
Sat in front of your laptop, staring at a sea of vacancies can leave you feeling like you’re drowning on your own. We can assure you, you’re not the only one! There will be thousands of people in the same boat as you; you’re not the only one embarking on the job hunt, nor will you be the first or last person to not know where to start or to feel a little apprehensive about it all. Take comfort in the fact that how you may be feeling is perfectly normal, and many people manage to overcome it and net their dream job – so can you!
It Takes Time
Remember: Rome wasn’t built in a day! A lot of job hunters expect fast results from their efforts and become disheartened when things don’t happen as quickly as they’d like. Chill out! As long as you are putting the right amount of time and effort into looking for a new job, and you are applying for the right roles for your skills and experience, things will fall into place. Be realistic and avoid expecting instant success; the right job is worth waiting for, just try to be patient and don’t give up.
Failure is How We Learn
OK, take a deep breath and brace yourself for this one: you will get rejected. It’s almost a rite of passage for any job seeker to face failure. No one likes rejection, but it’s all part of the process. If your application wasn’t successful or you’re not taken on after the interview stages, it’s not ideal but it’s all part of the learning curve that comes with looking for a new job. With each attempt, you learn a little more about yourself and what it takes to be successful. If you’re unsuccessful in securing a particular role, seek feedback from the employer and take it on board for next time. As disappointing as they may be, don’t let rejections knock you down, just see them as an opportunity to improve for next time.
You Have A Lot to Offer
If you feel like you haven’t progressed for a while, you aren’t where you planned to be in your career or if you’ve lost your job, it’s easy to feel a little down on yourself, which can make you hesitant when it comes to looking for a new role. Everyone has something to bring to the table. Whatever you’ve done at work, during your education or even in your personal life has contributed to your own professional skill set, whether you realise it or not. Instead of being too modest and saying “I’m not good enough for that role”, take some time to think about what skills you possess that will be transferable to any workplace and what professional experience you have gained over time. Maybe write a list, and you’ll soon see just how lucky any employer would be to have you!
They’re Just People
Yes, it may be their job to assess you and they are what stands between you and a new job, but it’s always worth reminding yourself that recruiters and potential employers are people, just like you. When it comes to applications, don’t be afraid of being judged too harshly – it will be a person who will reads your CV, not a heartless hiring monster! Interviews can feel nerve-wracking for even the most experienced professionals, but they’re just people, there’s nothing to be afraid of; prepare well, look the part and make sure that you shine and you’ll know you gave it your best shot.
There’s Always a Back-Up Plan
Us humans are a resilient bunch, we can get through almost anything if we put our minds to it. For some, the job search can take longer than others, as we’ve already discussed, but before the panic sets in, remind yourself that there’s always a Plan B. If you’re currently employed, as much as you may not enjoy your job, at least you have that to fall back on for now – make the most of your remaining time there while you job hunt. If you’re out of work and you feel the pressure mounting, there are alternatives to consider until you secure the right role: consider temp agencies, ‘stop-gap’ jobs in other fields or fixed term contracts to tide you over.
There is Support Available
There are professionals out there that can give you a little nudge in the right direction if you need it! Recruitment companies and careers advisors are all waiting to give you a hand when it comes to looking for a new job. Additionally, thanks to the digital world we live in, there is an endless supply of information at our fingertips. If you’re struggling with the job hunt, there are loads of great articles, advice videos and even courses available online to help you out. And don’t forget, our blog is full of great hints and tips for job seekers and ambitious professionals!
Think about it, (we’re hoping that) you’re no longer scared of monsters living under your bed – why is that? Because you were brave and took a peek under your bed and guess what? No monsters! Once you take the plunge into the job hunt, and if you bear our advice in mind, then you’ll soon see that it’s not as scary as you thought it was.
Happy hunting!
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