Looking for a new job can be difficult. Filling out all the applications, networking, and interviewing takes time and energy. It’s not always easy to stay upbeat and positive, especially when you don’t get the job you want. Here are some things you can say to yourself to keep going.
1. Companies will want to interview and hire me.
When you’re feeling nervous about job hunting, it’s easy to start questioning yourself. If you’re feeling this way, it’s a good idea to stop and list your strengths. Many women discount the things they do well because they’re easy for them but that doesn’t mean it’s easy for others.
When we feel doubtful we may think to ourselves:
· I don’t have the right skills
· Nobody will want to hire me
Instead, turn these thoughts into:
· I’m great at X and companies value that
· I’ve done a great job at X and my next job will appreciate that
Knowing that a good job and good manager will appreciate you can help you to feel motivated and keep looking for the right match.
2. That was great practice.
After you don’t get a job, you may beat yourself up about all the things you did wrong instead of thinking about the things you did right. This is especially true for interviews. You may replay the interview over and over in your head focusing on some small things that you could have done better. You might say things to yourself like:
· I can’t believe I did that – that was stupid
· That’s why they didn’t hire me
Instead, realize that every interview is a learning experience. It is a good idea to think back over the interview but do it in a positive way. Review some questions that were asked that you could have done a better job on. Write them down and prepare answers for the next interview you have. Also, do review what you did well and make sure you continue to do that in the next interviews.
Think instead:
· I did really well at X
· X was a tough question and a better way to answer a question like that next time would be…..
· I feel better prepared for my next interview
3. People want to help me.
One of the best ways to get a new job is to network. We know that but so many times, we’re reluctant to ask people for help. Think about it though, if a friend of yours was looking for a job, wouldn’t you be happy to help her? Of course, you would. I talk to many women who say that they don’t want to be a bother to other people. Stop worrying about that. Tell your friends that you’re looking for a job and give them the opportunity to help you.
You might say, ok that’s true, I’ll let my close friends know but I don’t want to tell anyone else. Why not? Someone out there is looking for a person like you to fill a position. Give their friends and colleagues the opportunity to help connect you so they can fill that job.
4. The right job will be available.
When we feel bad, we tell ourselves things like:
· I’ll never find anything
· It’s hopeless
This can be especially true if you’ve been looking for some time or you’ve received a few rejections. That can make it difficult to continue to feel confident. Replace those negative thoughts with:
· I haven’t found the right job yet
· I will keep going so the right job will be available
· The job search will pay off for me
It’s easier to keep going when we believe that we will be rewarded for our hard work.
When you get rejections, it can be difficult to keep a positive attitude. Remembering these 4 phrases on your tough days can help you to get back on track and keep going so you can get the job of your dreams.