Staying positive on the job hunt

March 31, 9:05 AMEntry Level Careers ExaminerHeather Huhman

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In most fields, it’s taking much longer than ever before to find an internship or entry-level job. Bad news continues to hit the headlines. Unemployment numbers rise by staggering amounts each month. So, how do you stay positive while hunting for a position, and just how crucial is it?

“Staying positive is the most important part of the job search process. During a job search, you can do all of the relevant tasks—such as prepare a good résumé, network, have your elevator speech ready and use it often—but if you do not have a positive attitude, you may not reach your goal at all,” said Gary Spinell, author of “It Was YOU, All Along.”

“In fact,” he continued, “it goes beyond having a positive attitude because that is mostly about staying motivated and excited. Rather, it is your belief system. You must set any negative beliefs aside. If you believe you may not succeed, then you won’t. If you believe the other person always gets the good job or promotion and not you, then you won’t succeed in your job search either. You must confront negative beliefs as they will have a substantial impact on your thought process.”

Here are some tips for staying positive:

1. Celebrate the calls and callbacks. “Response rates to your submitted résumés will drop due to greater competition over fewer jobs and internships. So, celebrate when you receive a phone screen or an in-person interview because you’ve just beaten out tens, hundreds or possibly thousands of others for that one opportunity,” said Joseph Starrs, director of the Institute on Political Journalism at The Fund for American Studies. “Also, it means that your résumé is saying the right things to potential employers—“I have what you’re looking for.” Even if you don’t get a second interview, at least it will boost your confidence to keep looking.”

2. Pay it forward. “Look for ways to help other job-hunters,” said Dr. Rachelle J. Canter, a social psychologist and president of RJC Associates. “It will make it easier to feel okay about contacting your network for help when you can offer help in return. It will make you feel good to help others, and it will help you get out of your house to meet with people, which will also boost your spirits.”

3. Come face-to-face with the stinkin’ thinkin’. “The day will come when, during your prolonged job search, looking for a job and getting another door of employment opportunity slammed in your face is just not what you want to deal with. In these cases, it is important to realize these feelings and emotions and make a conscious decision on how you want to deal with them. You can give in and make it an “all about me” day and go to the park, watch a movie or spend time with family. You can do those things that will turn not-so-positive-thinking into forward action—meditate, seek advice and feedback from others, say affirmations, speak with a mentor or life coach, etc. Do something that is proven to literally turn that frown upside down and come back the next day ready to attack the job search again,” said John Haynes, a life and business coach and human resources director at Johnson Controls.

4. Make your job search two-sided. “As much as you are interviewing for a job and having someone chose you, you are choosing a company to which you will bring your time, talent and efforts,” said Scott Silverman, founder and executive director of Second Chance. “So, look at the job search as two-sided, and the empowerment of doing so will enable you to approach it with a more positive attitude.”

5. Smile, even when you don’t feel like it. “I mean this literally. When you smile, you use different facial muscles and your voice sounds different, even on the telephone. You also look more approachable and attractive when you smile, and people want to be part of that. Smiling also has a psychological impact. It’s very difficult to be stressed out or unhappy if you’re physically pushing your countenance into a smile,” said Sharon DeLay, CPCC, CPRW, MBA, a career confidence specialist.

6. Hang around positive people. “Job networking groups can be great, but the last thing you need is to spend all your time with people who are in the same situation and only talk about all that’s difficult, wrong or broken. Too many people opt to be an “Eeyore”—the “woe-is-me” donkey from Winnie the Pooh cartoons. Don’t get sucked into this trap! If you come home from a networking meeting feeling worse than when you left, find another group!” said Darcy Eikenberg, president and chief creative officer of Coach Darcy LLC.

7. Find a (positive) career buddy. “Searching for a job can be a lonely process. People who share their experiences with a friend going through the same thing find they have a built-in support network, and someone to help them stay motivated. It also provides the benefit of seeing that others face the same challenges,” said Susan Peppercorn, founder and CEO of Career Outside the Cube.

8. Engage a champion. “Find someone in your area of expertise who can cheer you on. This person likely has a job you may want in five years. Ask their advice and inquire about their own career path. Stay in touch with this individual as you accomplish your goals. Don't have one? Enlist the support of someone you know who is successful in their career. Keep them informed of your progress. The act of reporting on your successes lifts your spirits,” said Rita Ashley, author of “Job Search Debugged.”

9. Stay mentally challenged. “Catch up on your professional reading. Write articles. Start a blog and write about your field, or about your job search experience. Keep up-to-date on the newest developments in your field,” said Joan Schramm, owner of Momentum Coaching.

10. Know rejection isn’t personal. “No doesn't mean you aren't good enough, it simply means that you aren't a fit for what the company wants. When an interviewer feels that you are not a fit for that company, they are giving you the gift of the truth as they see it, and sparing you the potential pain and suffering of being in a job you are not well-suited for. It also frees you up to continue your search for the position that is right for you,” said Sharon Rich of Leadership Incorporated.