Struggling With Your Job Search? Here are 5 Tips to Find Gratitude
You’re tired of clicking “Easy Apply” on LinkedIn everyday this week. You’re brain fried from fixing every bullet point in your resume to match with the Applicant Tracking System for the 100th time.
You’re winded from interview preps in the mirror. Or you’ve caught Zoom fatigue from virtual interviews with hiring managers.
Only to find another final round rejection in your inbox:
“Unfortunately, after careful consideration, we’ve decided to pursue other candidates at this time.”
That message hurts. Rejection sucks. It’s okay to feel frustrated.
There’s a way to flip that.
Have you ever thought that a job rejection is a redirection toward something else? Or something better — another company or another career path? Or that no means not yet?
As strange as it sounds, there’s a way to make rejection fuel your search. It all has to do with your mindset.
A way to reframe your mindset is to find gratitude.
Here are 5 tips to express gratitude during your job search.
1. Visualize First Thing in the Morning
Imagine yourself in your dream role. What does that look like?
Is it sitting at your dream work from home setup with a stand-up desk? Or maybe you’d love a hybrid work environment with in-person weekly coffee chats and happy hours? Or are you a social butterfly that wants to be in-person all the time?
Visualization will help you focus on what you want.
You’ll build more confidence toward your dream role and start believing that your success is achievable.
2. Write It Down
Grab a notebook. Write down three things that you did well in your interview.
“I’m grateful that I answered the question, ‘Why do I want to work here?’ with confidence.”
Find your improvement and notice your growth in your career search journey.
3. Make a Gratitude Jar
Open up a mason jar. Write down one thing that you’re grateful for daily and place it in the jar.
“I’m grateful I had a phone screen today.”
“The recruiter was impressed with my experience!”
Personalize it. Choose your favorite color Post-it note or mix it up with the assorted colors set.
Fold that sticky note up and watch your accomplishments stack up in the jar.
4. Create a Gratitude Board
This is just like a vision board except focused on gratitude!
Print and cut photos of the companies you were a candidate for. Find inspiring words.
Then, use map pins for your corkboard (or edit one with Photoshop).
Look at your accomplishments right in front of you!
5. Thank Someone Who Helped You
Never forget — thank someone who helped you on your journey.
Send a thank-you email to the hiring manager and recruiter following your interview.
Or to that new connection you had a virtual coffee chat to learn about their current role and ask for their advice.
Remember that they took the time to meet with you and offered help.
Building positive professional relationships can lead to future opportunities.
You’ll receive a referral later. Or tagged in job postings on LinkedIn.
What Are You Grateful For?
Job searching is an overwhelming process.
Don’t give up — learn to enjoy the process by finding that little improvement even if it’s 1% more than before.
Try one of these gratitude practices this week. You got this, good luck with your search!
