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Job seeking isn't easy and takes determination

The whole experience can take its toll on you

Peter Bailey

Contributor

To build a will of iron, it is essential to take small, tiny acts in tribute to personal discipline.” – Robin Sharma (The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari)

Job searching is tough. You face the ordeal of organizing your resume, letters of reference, cover letters, information interviews, cold calls and constant rejection.

The whole experience can take its toll on you. We see lots of folk at the Hope WorkBC Centre who are overwhelmed.

As a job seeker, you can become disheartened quickly and within a couple of weeks start believing there are no jobs out there or that no one is interested in you.

That’s why it’s important to cut yourself some slack. First, recognize that job seeking isn’t easy and that it takes determination. In his book “The Unofficial Guide to Finding the Perfect Job,” Robert Orndorff encourages job seekers to consider three P’s: Perseverance, Plan and Personalize your job search.

1. Perseverance means recognizing you are going to face a lot of no’s before you get the job you’re looking for.

2. Plan your job search with a schedule and commitment to keep going.

3. Personalize your approach. You are more than your resume and cover letter. Try to make contacts at places where you would like to work and then connect with them. Show them your resume and talk about a specific role in their organization.

All along the way make sure you are taking care of yourself. After you have completed a cold call or informational interview, give yourself a treat. Recognize the effort and self-discipline that you have brought to your job search and celebrate in some small way.

It is these small acts in tribute that will build your will of iron.

Peter Bailey is a certified employment councillor and director at Free Rein Associates.