Keeping up Good Habits When Applying for Jobs

John Krautzel
Posted by in Career Advice


During a long job search, it is easy to fall into a rut and out of good habits. Switching from good habits to unhealthy ones complicates your job search and limits your appeal as an ideal job candidate. Keeping up good habits is essential to maintain your image, health and sanity while seeking employment.

Prepare the Night Before

Preparing your clothing the night before is the most convenient way to maintain the habit of dressing for success. Wearing professional attire during your job search is key to developing a confident mindset and attracting employment. You never know if an employer may decide to interview you on the spot, so it is best to travel well-dressed and prepared.

Organize Your Time Effectively

Using time management is an important aspect of cultivating good habits in an extended job search. Making a daily schedule or to-do list can help you stay focused. It is important to remember that the longer you perform an action, the more natural it becomes. Make time each day to complete the tasks necessary to maintain good habits.

Energize Yourself

It is important that you maximize your energy levels to keep up with your routine. Operating on empty during a long job search causes major stress, so consume a balanced diet to maintain your energy levels. Taking care of your health makes you look radiant, energetic and more enthusiastic to hiring managers, so avoid eating foods packed with empty calories that weigh you down and zap your vibrancy. It is easy to tumble off the wagon if you suffer from lack of sleep, so aim for a full night's rest to renew your vigor.

Use Routine Reminders

The early job seeker often gets the gig, so setting an alarm to wake you up at the same time each day to continue your job search is bound to help you attain significant results. Using routine reminders to let you know when it is time to complete a task is a simple way to help your stick to your good habits. Use a visionary board to remind you of your career goals and dreams and keep you motivated.

Change Course When Necessary

Using the same routine often produces similar results, so be open to changing a stale routine in your job search. Assess your general habits regularly to determine if they are helping or hurting your job search, and change part of your routine if necessary. If you decide to complete your daily tasks out of order, it is okay as long as you still accomplish them. When you are willing to change course to take advantage of a unique employment opportunity or a last-minute networking event in your job search, it can help you find a job faster than you imagined.

Healthy habits allow you to stay at your best during the job search. It is also important to inspire yourself everyday so that you feel motivated to stick to beneficial habits. Hold yourself accountable for maintaining good habits instead of blaming the daily stresses of life. Make the commitment to keep healthy habits throughout your job search and for the rest of your life.

 

(Photo courtesy of iosphere / freedigitalphotos.net)

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