Positive Thinking Equals Productive Searching

                                                                                         

Some people think that a positive attitude and a job search aren’t even in the same universe, but you need a positive attitude to present yourself successfully to potential employers, and for your self-confidence as well.

Basics

Looking for a new job has some elements of fun – you’re exploring new challenges and growth opportunities.

Some jobseekers keep it light by treating the job hunt as an interesting game, rather than looking at each application as a “do or die” life event.

Don’t get totally tangled up in the job search. There is nothing worse, or less productive, than being totally focused on waiting for the phone to ring. These days, when a caller can leave a message or reach you on your mobile or by email, you have a lot more freedom to work things that you enjoy into your day.

Do put substantial time into your job search, checking adverts for the type of work you want regularly and submitting your application promptly. If you are working, employers will understand that your best time to apply may be the weekend. But, again, don’t spend every minute of the day on it – allot an amount of time ask your “work day” and enjoy the rest as usual.

Laugh! Keep as much humor as you can in your life. Almost every experience has some humorous take.

Keep an open mind. You may find that you like your current employer more than you thought as you find out about others, and may be in a better position to seek a raise or advancement based on what you learn in your job search.

If you leave and then look, you can let everyone know so they can be a source of both leads and feedback. Find ways to stay in touch, whether lunch or another get-together, or an occasional call or email. For the latter, it’s great if you have a question to ask, or something fun or interesting to share. It maintains a positive attitude not only for you, but for your friends and professional contacts.

Your CV and Cover Letter

Start out by creating one or more CVs, depending on the type(s) of positions you want to explore. Accentuate the positives – your success and achievements. Review often – remind yourself how much you have to offer. Plus your CV is ready! You've completed one of the biggest accomplishments toward new work. You may want to revise it for different positions or employers, but you have the basics.

Have a complete work history, with employer, supervisor, job summary, dates, and contact info ready and with you at all times. It’s a great reference to have handy, and some of this detail that may be asked on application won’t be in your CV.

Your cover letter is the ultimate in a positive attitude. It lets you highlight your experience, skills, talents and interests directly related to the job at hand.

A family member or friend to review can help “punch up” your CV and cover letters, making you more comfortable presenting yourself in the strongest and best light. And remember, what might feel like bragging in everyday life is the basis of your job application. Getting your accomplishments down, using facts, figures, positive comments from job reviews, etc. to showcase them will make you more comfortable presenting them in applications and interviews.

Interviews


Every interview tells you that you’ve presented yourself well in your CV and cover letter – that you have the basics for the kind of job you seek with that employer.

Employers don’t always recognize the best person or qualifications – failing to get an interview may say more about them than you. Remember, getting interviews from 40 to 60 percent of applications is a fantastic rate in most occupations, unless yours happens to be the holy grail of shortages at the time.

If you’ve interviewed, but don’t get a job, follow up with the recruiter, thanking him or her again, and asking what strengths you lacked, or for suggestions to help you be more competitive for that kind of job.

Stay positive – you may be the top candidate for a future or different opening.

If you find out that you lack important skills, or need updated or broader skills, this is a great time to gain them. That will increase your self confidence even more.

Decisions

Unless the job market is truly awful, remember that you are seeking the right job and right employer – you’re looking at what the employer has to offer you while they are trying to decide if you’re the right person for them.

Decide whether an offer is a good step in your career. Is it from highly respected employer? Does it offer new skills, more advancement or better pay?

Feel free to research an offer – it’s pretty standard to ask for a day or two to consider an offer after you know important things like wages or salary, benefits, etc. You may also want to ask about potential for advancement at this time.
It may be positive to turn down an offer. An example – one applicant had a great interview for a job in a horticultural garden. As an avid gardener, she thought this would be her dream job. However, she happened to know the person who’d just left the job, and learned by phoning her that the supervisor dumped a lot of his duties into the subordinate’s job, and the job demanded working many weekends during the spring, summer and fall, without allowing for compensatory time off, for living or for her own garden. It was hard to turn down a job, but she felt better ever after – and wasn’t surprised to see the job advertised again frequently. Plus she gained the positive knowledge that she’d applied, interviewed and used her personal network well.

If a job is offered, but doesn’t feel right, or seems just plain awful, feel free to turn it down unless you really need the income right away. That may tell you that you’d prefer to temp for a while and get an inside look on some possible employers while earning. Depending on the temp contract, you can also make good contacts for permanent employment. A wider than ever variety of occupations now offer temporary jobs.

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