Don’t let your job search depress you

IF you’re looking for a job right now, it’s certain to take longer than you’d like. And the culprit isn’t just the recession. With online job boards making it easier than ever to apply, a single opening can attract hundreds of résumés from around the world. And now many employers use automated systems to sort through all the resumes they receive—which makes the process even harder to penetrate.

So how do you keep your spirits up in such a tough environment? I asked this question of several people, including Lila, a Greek marketing professional looking for a job in Athens.

The best advice Lila gave me was to manage your feelings. When you get angry with yourself, it shows. Don’t believe you can easily fake enthusiasm. Most interviewers can pick up on your true feelings.

Granted, it isn’t easy to actively manage your emotions to ensure you’re focused and energetic. Here are some things to keep in mind as you navigate your job search:

■ Be your own best manager. Since looking for a job is a full-time job, manage yourself appropriately. Bad managers set impossible goals and then punish people for not accomplishing them. Instead, set reasonable weekly goals for networking, researching or applying for jobs—and reward yourself for reaching them.

■ Don’t just sit there, do something. Get out of the house. Take a class. Volunteer. Do anything that will teach you something new, connect you with other people—and perhaps boost your résumé.

■ Multitask—don’t ride the rollercoaster. Many people stop looking for new opportunities once they’ve had an interview. But if they’re turned down, they become even more discouraged and have to fight an uphill battle just to motivate themselves to start applying again.

It’s better to keep looking until you get an actual job offer. That way you won’t get so depressed if you’re turned down, and you won’t have to start the process all over again.

■ Keep to a routine. Manage your time as if you were working in an office. Keep a regular schedule for researching new positions, following up and volunteering. Work in exercise, too—you’ll look and feel better. A daily and weekly schedule will provide you with the structure you need to have a sense of accomplishment. –Priscilla Claman, Businessmirror