How To Boost Your Self Esteem For A Fresh Job Outlook
Anyone who’s been deep in the job hunt knows that the process can be confidence-deflating. The many coffee dates, resume revisions, interview preparation, days/weeks of waiting, and so on can diminish the confidence of any job seeker. When your self-esteem starts to sag, here are some tips that can help maintain your confidence during your job search.
Silence your inner critic
When things don’t go as expected, people tend to become their worst critic as they nurture thoughts of self-doubt. These negative thoughts will only tear down your self-esteem and drain you of motivation to continue job hunting. You might have made mistakes that cost you job opportunities, but you need to forgive yourself to move on. An excellent way to silence your inner critic is to write down a list of your strengths and best assets, so you can visit it whenever your inner critic becomes active. Do this often to build your self-esteem and to remind yourself of your worth.
Don’t do it alone
If you are feeling discouraged and want to spike your confidence, you need to interact with others and draw positive energy from them. These people will serve as your support system and will help keep your motivation tank full while job searching. A good way to apply this tip is to find people who are also job-hunting as this will help you realize you’re not alone while also helping you to network and expose you to potential job opportunities.
Another tip is to not shy away from social interactions. If you are invited out for a drink or a gathering of friends – take the plunge and go for it. Isolating yourself is not advisable and will only perpetuate feelings of despair. Being around people who are having fun and enjoying themselves is contagious and will boost you spirits and keep yourself motivated.
Make a schedule
Starting your day with the thought that there’s nothing to do can be depressing as it may imply that you’re no longer productive, which is false. The fact that you have no job yet doesn’t mean you have to laze about all day feeling bad. Creating a schedule for your day can give a sense of direction and help keep you busy which will, in turn, boost your self-esteem. Perhaps you decide to sit down at your computer in the a.m. to conduct job search or update your resume. Either way, you should try to maintain a daily schedule to ensure that you are active around the same time you would usually go to work. Keeping a routine will ensure you stay focused.
Exercise
Don’t be quick to discard this tip as it can help improve your confidence a great deal. Research has shown that there’s a strong correlation between exercise and self-esteem as it helps you to be mentally alert. Many people are aware that exercise can transform their mind, but very few are aware that it can send their self-confidence into the stratosphere. There are tons of exercises you can do from home if you are someone who procrastinates about going to the gym. For a small amount of money, you can get some resistance bands or free weights and can even download fitness apps online. Research has shown time and time again that confidence is contagious, and exercising is the best ‘bang for your buck’ in terms of increasing your confidence.
Expand your horizons
You can make the most of the job-searching process by learning a new skill, earning certification or volunteering rather than sitting in front of the TV. Engage in activities that can increase your value in the job market and that will make it hard for hiring managers to ignore your resume. There are a ton on online courses, videos and research that you can conduct to keep yourself up to date on the latest trends and skills in your area of interest.
Conclusion
Job searching is a tough endeavour that takes a toll on your mental and physical state of mind. It is crucial that you take care of yourself during this transitional time and find ways to boost your confidence and grow your self-esteem. Participating in some of the above activities will not only increase your happiness but will enhance your chances of landing a job.
Stay focused and determined as it is just a matter of time before you land your next job!
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