Motivation Is the Key to Succeeding in a Job Search

@Roy so sorry to hear that. First things first - have you given your resume to someone else to review? That would be the first thing to take a good hard look at. We always think that our resume is the best until someone else takes a look and lets us know about things that need to be changed. Are you using the appropriate keywords from the job posting in your resume? Remember that most companies today have an applicant tracking system (ATS) that they use to screen resumes. If your resume does not contain the right keywords, it is usually deleted. So I would start with my resume and then move on to the cover letter. There are tons of articles here on Beyond to assist you. If you went to college, you could contact your career services center and make an appointment to have your resume reviewed and get assistance to write a better one. They can also help you with cover letter preparation as well as interviewing. If you didn't go to college, check around your local area for resume assistance. Once you have done that, try again and see if it helps. We wish you all the best.

What if you've been conducting job searches for decades but still unable to get hired anywhere?

During a job search, other than finding the right job, avoiding negativity is my prime objective. I prefer a happy work environment and negative people tend to make any job less pleasant. I don't want to be seen as someone who would bring negativity into the workplace.

One of my tricks for avoiding negativity is to help other people. I find if I am busy with volunteer work, it is easier to stay positive. I also try to stay grateful. Keeping a gratitude list helps me focus on the things I have instead of dwelling on my lack of a job. Both volunteer work and an attitude of gratitude help keep me motivated and in the right frame of mind for a successful job search.

Thanks for the comments and the great insights. @Shaday great idea to consider joining the local chamber. I have a friend who just did that and it has opened up a whole new world for her. @Abbey it has always been and will probably continue to be "who you know" that can help us to move on to a new position and/or a new company. So very true about references. We tend to think about references more as a sort of "ps" instead of giving them their due. It's nice to know that they really are important and worth the time that we take to cultivate them.

As much as some people don't like to admit it, knowing the right people really can be the difference in whether you land a job. Qualifications and skills go a long way to promote you, but sometimes they aren't enough to set you apart from other candidates. If you have a network full of successful and well-respected people in the industry, this may just give you an edge in the search for employment. When I hire employees, one of the first things I look at is references. If an applicant has good references, that makes an impact on my decision.

It agree — it can be really tough to remain motivated on the hunt for a new job. Perhaps one tactic is to think of it as a journey. If we don't get the jobs we initially apply for, perhaps it's fate telling us to look at other options or seek training for completely different careers. Certainly seems a positive approach to the conundrum!

@Jacob T, @Jane H, I agree that it can be difficult to stay proactive about a job search when you're already employed, especially if you never get any responses from hiring managers. It's tempting to just settle and try to make it work at your current job, even if it's a poor fit or has no growth potential.

A great option for anyone, whether employed or unemployed, is to join a local Chamber of Commerce. This is especially helpful for people with specialized skills or career changers because a well-organized Chamber provides regular opportunities to deliver an elevator pitch and share leads with a dedicated, supportive network of serious professionals. Most Chambers also schedule recreational events and volunteering opportunities, so professionals can get to know each under in low-pressure environments while expanding their presence in the community.

I have some friends who have had difficulty securing new positions for long stretches due to their specialized skills and a job market that hasn't bounced back as much as the media likes to claim. Their rejections have been in the form of silence from employers when they send in cover letters and resumes, probably because the hiring managers are being inundated with applications. Therefore, I have to disagree that their rejections were associated with a lack of motivation. If anything, occasionally getting called in for an interview enhances their motivation because it gets their hopes up that this could be the one that gets them hired.

This article focuses on motivation while unemployed and looking for work. What about when you are transitioning to a new position or seeking to climb the career ladder? If you are employed full-time, demonstrating extra-curricular activities can be more challenging, but the motivation to get a new position or promotion is probably just as strong.

I appreciate that you mentioned how outside activities, hobbies and volunteer work can be a great indicator of how motivated job applicants are. Many people can stay motivated while they are at work, but to also commit their time and energy to other pursuits outside of work demonstrates their work ethic and personality type. Especially for college graduates, having a solid and diverse list of extracurricular activities on a resume can get your foot in the door when you don't have much work experience.

@Duncan every job interview is a new opportunity. That's the best way to look at it. You have to let those other rejections go. It can get old and get you down but remember that hiring manager doesn't know what you have gone through. He is excited to meet you and is hoping that you are going to be the one. So you need to infuse enthusiasm into every interview. Remember, today is the first day of the rest of your life.

I like the idea of avoiding a negative attitude through the entire process of seeking for a job. Sometimes there are so many rejections and frustrations that a person develops a negative mentality even before they realize it. How can such people retract the lost steps soonest possible, so that they can go on with the job search and finally clinch the job?

One thing that keeps me motivated is knowing what motivates me. Do I find work to support my family? Do I gravitate towards certain careers for personal fulfillment? Knowing what motivates you is the key to maintaining your commitment to a job search. Turn your passion into a future worth living.

I think volunteering is a great way to give back and lift your own spirits as well. If you don't have a job, I think it's also a good idea to volunteer with a purpose, meaning find volunteer opportunities that can help you build skills for the job you want. Volunteering also comes with opportunities to grow your network so you aren't giving up job search time, you're actually expanding your options.

Finding your motivation during a job search can be challenging, especially when you have been unemployed for awhile. I'm not sure, though, that devoting all of your time to volunteering is a beneficial suggestion. It is inspiring; however, it could take substantial time away from your job search, which doesn't help you achieve your goals.

@Hema thanks for the comment. If you are coming up empty everywhere you search, maybe you should try a different job title or even a different industry. Many of the skills that we have are transferable so give it a go in a different direction. This could open up a whole new world for you.

I think writing down an ideal job description is a great starting point when searching for a job. However, it’s easy to succumb to negativity if the search for this job does not go well. What are some steps I can take to remain motivated if there are no openings for my ideal position?