Winter blues How to maintain job search momentum - Hire Imaging

Winter blues How to maintain job search momentum - Hire Imaging I work with clients around the globe. Some are floating on devices in swimming pools as I write. Some probably watching a palm tree sway in the warm breeze. But for many of them living in the colder regions, I’m seeing a slow-down pattern in their job searches. I’ve heard “Going to interviews in ice and snow is for the birds,” and “No one wants to meet me for an informational interview in this frozen tundra!” Believe me; I empathize. Here in Minnesota it’s 15 below today in temp. Last night it was 35 below with wind chill. My poor English Cocker, Ted, limps from ice balls in his paws every time he goes out to do his business and find rocks. It’s true that a job search requires time and energy; it’s in itself a job! And winter can suck that energy. You’re trying to stay warm. You miss the light that you’re deprived of with the short days and long nights. It’s hard to stay motivated. But there are things that you can do to keep your momentum going. Control your self-talk If you realize that you’re telling yourself how hard the job search is, doubting your abilities and chances of achieving career goals right now, stop! Make an effort to change these self-sabotaging messages. It is something you can control. You can’t control whether hiring authorities call you back or offer you the job, but you can concentrate on your vision . You can replace negative thoughts with positive thoughts. Reevaluate your strengths and success stories. When the phone doesn’t ring or someone says “no” to you, dust yourself off and focus on believing in yourself and what you can do in this world! Set goals and make a plan The job search can feel overwhelming, particularly in the midst of a cold winter. Don’t let the combination be an excuse to sleep late and long, or tune out to hours-on-end viewing of movies or television series. Set your goals with a plan. Many of my clients have found it much easier to pace themselves and feel power in gaining momentum when they take small steps And I can’t say this enough. Don’t be too hard on yourself when setting those goals. Be realistic. To say “I’ll be working within the next month” is really putting the pressure on. It may not even be realistic in this market and economy. What you will likely do is set yourself up to be let down. Concrete goals are great, but limit your commitment to those that you can reach, like “I will make seven new contacts this week.” Talk to folks Networking has always been and still is, at the heart of the successful job search. Think of your job as a campaign. What person do you know running for any office or appointment who does not talk to people? Right. Talk. The beauty of today’s technology is that you can talk to people online as well as offline. There is a great deal of networking you can accomplish from the warmth of your own indoor space. Pick up the phone or connect via LinkedIn  or another social media site. If there is someone in your industry that you’d like to know, reach out and ask that person for an informational interview. Everyone loves being asked for advice. When you make it clear this is what you’re after, people really do want to help. Manage stress It’s a fact that the cold winter months can affect your mood. At the risk of sounding preachy, take care of yourself. There’s a real danger here of negative impact to your search. Stress combined with lack of good self-care typically means more stress, less confidence. And if you’re out there talking to folks, even interviewing, is this how you want to be perceived? Stress  often shows in your appearance, your voice, your overall demeanor. Have you checked your voice mail lately? How do you sound? It could give you a boost to redo it with a cheery, upbeat message. Cutting stress means carving out time for you! An exercise class if you know you don’t self-motivate at home. A new haircut or outfit. A energy-boosting breakfast. A good night’s sleep. Time with someone who is supportive in your job search. We have a cabin up in northern Minnesota where the winters can be really long. The town of Crosslake near our cabin has put on Winter Fest for a decade now. Some years are colder and tougher than others. But no matter, the folks come out in droves to sip hot chocolate and homemade soups, warm up by a bonfire, and play outdoor games, turning winter’s advantage into unique entertainment and fellowship. Perhaps there’s a lesson here, to take what’s good and workable. What do we control in our job search? Is winter really getting in our way? Or is it just another form of procrastination?  Photo: Dawn-PinkChick