Habits to Help Your Job Search
- Skipping your workout: Exercise, even just going for a walk or a yoga class, raises your endorphins and makes you more alert. This means you’ll be happier, more optimistic, and more “on your game” for interviews, etc. Exercise also leads to a lot of confidence, which translates into your body language.
- All work and no play: It should be a priority for everyone to carve out time for what you enjoy. This can be anything from reading a book to doing a favorite craft, or any other hobby that brings you joy. Folks who don’t make time for fun and relaxation are more stressed out, and it can come across to people. If you’re more relaxed, hiring managers will see that too.
- Constant complaining: Complaining rarely leads to results. Remember that the more you complain, even just to yourself, the more you reinforce negativity. Try your best to be positive, and take any challenges that come as lessons to do better next time.
- Being too hard on yourself: Remember that this is a process, and not everything is going to be a slam dunk. As I mentioned in the last bullet, take any mishaps as learning opportunities. No one is perfect, so remember to cut yourself a break and keep on going.
- Selling yourself short: Just because you don’t have every single bullet point in a job description, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t apply. If you have a lot of what they’re looking for and you’re motivated to learn and grow, apply with enthusiasm. It never hurts to try!
Recent Posts
Step 8 of Interview Preparation: Post-Interview Questions
In the seven preceding interview preparation steps, the goal was to get you to the interview on time and ready to answer questions comfortably. Step eight involves preparation for the moment’s right after you’ve answered these questions, that is, the preparation of...
Quote of the Day: Energy and persistence conquer all things
Energy and persistence conquer all things - Benjamin Franklin Sometimes work can be challenging, but as Benjamin Franklin observes, "energy and persistence conquer all things." If you are committed to your work and don't let failures halt your progress, you will...
Quote of the Day: Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success
Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success - Edward Everett Hale Whether you are with family for the holidays or at work with colleagues, it is an accomplishment to come together, keep together and work together....
Quote of the Day: When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us
When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us - Helen Keller When something you are happy about or proud of at work doesn't work or comes to an end, it is...
Step 7 of Interview Preparation: Print Hard-Copies
It is best to arrive at an interview ready for anything and that means having hard-copies of your resume and references at hand. While your interviewer may already have a copy of your resume printed, as Alie Hallbock recons in her article on interview preparation,...
Quote of the Day: Action is the foundational key to all success.
Action is the foundational key to all success.. - Pablo Picasso Planning is important, but eventually you need to start. It is easy to get so caught-up in the research and planning part of a project that you begin it too late to make a deadline. - - Quote...
Step 6 of Interview Preparation: Practice Aloud
Even if you have brainstormed the answers for every possible question that your interviewers could ask and taken good notes, you should still practice delivering your answers aloud. As Alia Hollback observes in her article on interview preparation, “no matter how...
Quote of the Day: Ludwig Hess
A good listener is totally focused on the speaker with an open mind. - Ludwig Hess Whether you are the CEO of an organization or a new trainee tasked on your first team assignment, exercising good listening skills are critical to success. To listen well, as Ludwig...
Quote of the Day: Norman Vaughan
Dream big and dare to fail. - Norman Vaughan Whatever you do and wherever you do it, dream big and and work towards those goals. There may be hiccups along the way, but when we stop imagining something better, we stop moving forward. - - Quote Source: GoodReads....
Step 5 of Interview Preparation: Know the Location and Be Early
First impressions matter and being late to an interview does not get you started on the right foot. It also shouldn’t happen if you: a) look up the location beforehand, b) save the address and contact details, and c) leave with plenty of extra time. These are some of...
Quote of the Day: Albert Einstein
Your imagination is your preview of life’s coming attractions. - Albert Einstein Whether you are picturing where you will be in five years or just getting prepared for an upcoming meeting at work, as Albert Einstein observes, "your imagination is your preview of...
Step 4 of Interview Preparation: Know What You Will Bring to the Job
Take the time to consider what skills and experience you will bring to the job. If there are experiences relevant to the work of the new position, jot them down and review them before your interview. If you have skills that are needed to do the role well, be ready to...
Quote of the Day: Margaret Thatcher
I do not know anyone who has got to the top without hard work. That is the recipe. It will not always get you to the top, but should get you pretty near. - Margaret Thatcher There is no substitute for hard work and a commitment to ones goals. Set your target high....
Quote of the Day: Regina Brett
No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up. - Regina Brett It can be very tempting to just stay in bed some days, but if you can go in into the office, go in. Punctuality and attendance issues are among the most common reasons for termination. They are...