Baseball is Back! How to Overcome a Slump in your Job Search.
Photo by: wallyg
After a rainout yesterday, my beloved Boston Red Sox took the field today and opened their 2009 season with an impressive win over the 2008 AL Champs, Tampa Bay Rays (still a little bitter over last fall, but hope springs eternal!).
One down... 161 to go.
The job search is a lot like the baseball season. It's a marathon. You might have a couple great weeks, followed by a lousy week. The key is to stay positive and realize you might be in a slump from time to time. Even the best ballplayers go through a hitless streak for a few games.
So how can you deal with the ups and downs of a long job search?
1- Organization. I encourage everyone to create an Excel spreadsheet for all of your networking contacts. I also recommend using a blog reader, such as Google Reader, to get all of your blogs and news sent to one place.
2- Routine. Get into a routine every day. Spend an hour reading newspapers, blogs and industry news each morning. Set a daily goal of contacting five new people (or following-up with five people already in your network). Consistency is key.
3- Focus on your daily "wins." If you only focus on the end result (aka, a job offer) you are going to be unhappy most of the time. Instead, live in the moment and realize the accomplishments you make each day. Celebrate a great informational interview or well-timed follow-up note. Each of these "wins" will add up over the course of a job search.
After a rainout yesterday, my beloved Boston Red Sox took the field today and opened their 2009 season with an impressive win over the 2008 AL Champs, Tampa Bay Rays (still a little bitter over last fall, but hope springs eternal!).
One down... 161 to go.
The job search is a lot like the baseball season. It's a marathon. You might have a couple great weeks, followed by a lousy week. The key is to stay positive and realize you might be in a slump from time to time. Even the best ballplayers go through a hitless streak for a few games.
So how can you deal with the ups and downs of a long job search?
1- Organization. I encourage everyone to create an Excel spreadsheet for all of your networking contacts. I also recommend using a blog reader, such as Google Reader, to get all of your blogs and news sent to one place.
2- Routine. Get into a routine every day. Spend an hour reading newspapers, blogs and industry news each morning. Set a daily goal of contacting five new people (or following-up with five people already in your network). Consistency is key.
3- Focus on your daily "wins." If you only focus on the end result (aka, a job offer) you are going to be unhappy most of the time. Instead, live in the moment and realize the accomplishments you make each day. Celebrate a great informational interview or well-timed follow-up note. Each of these "wins" will add up over the course of a job search.
What other tips do you have for navigatng the ups and downs of a job search?
Hey Brian,
This post had some of the same things you mentioned on SMAD day. I talked with other classmates and we really liked the idea of making an Excel sheet. I know all my contact information is all over the place. I like to be organized and this will help. I know my biggest down fall is keeping up with news. Thank you for helping me with my setting up my google reader by using Google news.
I know you were impressed with the people who read your blog before smad day... well lets see how many of them keep reading it (not to say that they wont)... I need to become more competitive and to follow through with things I say I need to do.
Thank you for coming to JMU and giving insightful information to a junior who is gradually learning
Alyssa
Thanks for the feedback Alyssa. Please keep reading and stay in touch!
Hey Brian,
Thanks again for giving us your insight on SMAD day.
I remember jotting down in my notes something you said about building your online community or become a part of an online community.
We all know about online social network outlets like Facebook, Tweeter, LinkedIn, ect., and if you don't then you when to start building your own online community pronto.
But, I think it is just as important that we also become a part of other online communities, whether it be a PR/Social Media guru blogs and forums or just an online snowboarding community. We need to build our online community, follow those experts, and be up-to-date with the news in your niche community. Others in the job search are trying to get ahead every way they can. You are blending into the crowd if you don't know the recent news and are not actively participating in your field of interest. Start building ASAP and your WOW factor will follow.
Chris