It is always important to take care of yourself, but that is especially true during a job search. Any transition - whether voluntary or not and whether you really view it as a good change or not - can be stressful. The difficult thing about a job search is that your attitude and emotions often show through in your contacts with potential resources and employers.
If you have not dealt with anger regarding your transition, I cannot stress how important it is for you to do that. Unresolved anger is one of those emotions that has a way of creeping into everything you say and do. You can not afford to have anger seep into your job search communications. Additionally, unresolved anger is just not healthy - it takes a toll on your mind and body.
It is fairly easy to grow weary of an extended job search, but you can not let that show. It is important that you demonstrate that you are an active, healthy potential employee with energy to undertake some new projects or help develop new strategies to solve the company's problems. Additionally, if you are unclear on your career goals, that comes through in your communications. So even if you have a goal and one or two back-up plans, you want to express excitement about that current goal - whether the job you are applying for fits with your first or 3rd choice.
Additionally, if your self-esteem has taken a beating through your transition, it is best to work on building that up, preferably before you launch a job search. Just as anger is an unattractive attribute in a job candidate, so is low self-esteem. Even when you are able to put up a good front most of the time, your lack of self-confidence may be evident in your writing, but is very likely apparent in interviews. Your in-person communications will likely reveal that you are not 'on top of the world' or at your best.
During a job search, you need to be able to demonstrate that you are a capable, competent individual who will be a valuable asset to any organization. Of course, I believe counseling can help, but I would encourage you at least to talk with a personal confidant and/or a spiritual/religious person to help you work through your unhealthy emotions and get your feelings in balance. So deal with your emotions related to your transition in a healthy way and be better prepared for a successful job search.
Mary Ann Davis, M.A., is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), designated as a Master Career Counselor (MCC) by the National Career Development Association, and a Distance Credentialed Counselor with over 20 years of experience providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions. She meets with individuals in person at Holistic Counseling Care of Cincinnati and at a distance through Your Career Plan.
Visit her web site at http://www.yourcareerplan.com/, call Mary Ann at (513) 665-4444 x3, or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
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