[ad_1]
Staying motivated during your job search can be challenging in any season. But it gets more difficult when the temperatures drop and the sun sets at 4pm.
The days seem short – but long at the same time – and you don’t want to do anything but camp out on the couch and hibernate until the weather clears. However, this is not quite an option when you are looking for a job.
Instead, you need to stay focused and continue to dedicate yourself to your research, no matter how much you want to lie down until spring. Easier said than done, right? Fortunately, there are some things you can do to motivate yourself in your job search — even during the seemingly endless cold and dark winter.
1. Create a schedule
There is no denying that the change in daylight can wreck your time management skills. Therefore, it is best to take the time to plan and write down a formal schedule that you can follow for your job search.
Will you complete job search assignments for an hour each day after work? Will you make time on the weekends? Are you going to aim for many hours each week?
Creating a schedule will help ensure that you have a plan that you can actually stick to. Plus, it will keep you motivated and in charge in those moments when you would rather do anything else.
2. Set smaller goals
It can be hard to stay motivated when your ultimate goal is as big as “get a new job.” This task seems so daunting, you’ll never feel like you’re making any real progress.
This is why it is so helpful to set smaller goals for yourself within that big goal. For example, perhaps you want to submit applications for five jobs by the end of the week. Or perhaps you would like to renew your CV by the end of today and your cover letter by the end of tomorrow.
Setting these small goals for yourself makes the whole process feel more manageable, which means you’re more likely to keep moving forward.
3. Get out of the house
Cabin fever is common during the winter months. So why not use your job search as a much needed excuse to get out of the house?
Whether you want to set up shop at your favorite coffee shop or spend time at your local library, a change of scenery can give you a fresh perspective and some fresh focus on your job search.
even better? This will help you separate work from your personal life so, when you finally get home, you can really relax.
4. Give yourself downtime
We all deserve a little respite now and then, and it becomes especially important when extreme weather threatens to send our moods into a constant downward spiral.
So, no matter how committed you are to your job search, don’t neglect to make time for the things you enjoy.
Whether it’s reading a good book or heading outside for some winter sports, leaving enough time for your passions and hobbies will help you avoid feeling like job hunting is taking over your life – and will also help make the long winter months that much more bearable!
5. Keep your eye on the prize
Winter can send us all into an emotional rut. It’s called winter blues for a reason, after all. And this negative attitude can only be exacerbated when you are stressed out by the long job search and the inevitable rejection emails.
Yes, that can be frustrating. But, always remember to keep your ultimate goal in mind. At the end of it all, you have a great new job (and of course, spring!) to look forward to.
Keep an eye out for the light at the end of the tunnel, and suddenly those dark winter job-hunting days won’t seem so bad.