I remember a time almost five years ago when I was out of work. It wasn’t long into my unemployment when I got into a comfortable routine of getting up in the morning and looking over the paper with my coffee. Still situated comfortably in my pajamas, I would sit and look over that morning’s help wanted ads. If I felt really really energetic, I might take my search to the Internet, but that was only a room away in my dining room. 
There was no reason for me to get dressed, do my hair, put on the make up or any of the things I did when I was employed. It got really easy, REALLY FAST for me to get into a funky mood over my lack of employment.
Unfortunately, that funky mood didn’t allow me to prepare myself mentally for work and my physical prepardness detiorated as well.
It’s easy to let depression and self doubt take over and run your job search for you. It’s a trap that so many job seekers fall into as they wade through interviews and rejection letters.
I decided I had to do something about how my attitude and image were affecting my job jearch so I’m hoping my tips and advice will help keep you from feeling like I did five years ago.
First of all, you need to think like you’re at work. Get your mind and attitude in shape. If you take your daily job search as serious as you take doing the laundry, then you’ll never have the right mindset. Attitude ISN’T everything but it definitely is an important player in your job search. I began focusing on the future and the job I wanted. I envisioned being at work, interacting with coworkers, planning projects, connecting with the public and problem solving.
If you think I was picturing doing all of this in my pjs, think again. I had it going on! In my visions, I dressed for the job I imagined. I was professional looking, from my hair to my shoes.
Once I had the right attitude, I could work on the rest of me. I went back to getting up at the time I normally would have gotten ready for work. I didn’t “dress up” but I got out of the pajamas. Nice jeans, maybe kahkis, a blouse or sweater, and no slippers! I opted for comfortable shoes such as flats or loafers.
The final step was to get out of the house. You never know where a potential job is going to be. I would sit at the coffee house, working on my resume from my laptop or following up with contacts. I would also head to the library for a change of pace and take advantage of the many daily newspapers to round out my search.
It’s important to realize that just because you’re “out of work” doesn’t mean you’re out of work. It’s actually quite the contrary; now that you’re unemployed you’re job is to find a job that’s right for you, which is a lot of work all on its own.
Don’t let being unemployed a reason to let yourself and your attitude slide. Treat the job of being unemployed just as serious as you did when you were working. Stay focused, stay positive, and get yourself out into the world.
image credit: stock.xchng
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Most people remain out of work mainly because they do not look hard enough. Hard enough means a full time job. A full time job is 40 hours a week and that includes the full gamut of job searching.
Most people I meet who are over 40, look for a job like they did 10 or 20 years ago and expect to find one again the same way that they used to. New job search skills have to be gained and utilized.
The second reason why most people remain unemployed is that they don’t know how to articulate their skills and abilities to the employer. Job seekers need to have the attitude of what is in it for the employer, rather than what is in it for “me.” Why? Because the job market is literally flooded with job candidates looking for work. Telling an employer what you can do for them will help you to rise above the herd.