Facing a number of rejections as part of your job search can be depressing, but in todays job market this is something that the majority of job seekers are experiencing. It’s important to stay motivated, which in turn will help you stand out from other applicants and find your new job sooner. Follow these simple pieces of advice to beat your job-hunting blues and stay focussed in your job hunt.

Believe in yourself

The good news is that you can avoid getting downhearted most of the time. How? By adopting a positive mental attitude to give you “altitude”, says Australian motivational speaker Nick Vujicic. He enthuses that people are his passion, “and sharing with them a message of hope is what I am passionate about.” And he’s certainly right, because as human-beings we have more control over our emotions than we often care to think. So don’t let yourself get down, but stay in control of your thoughts, emotions, hopes and dreams. It’ll make you more attractive to those around you.

If you’ve applied for a few jobs, or even been to some interviews and nothing has come of them, listen to Nick’s advice. He doesn’t see himself as a victim, even though he was born with no arms and legs. He is less fortunate than many of us in the world. Yet while we all like to moan sometimes, he advises people that they can’t afford to give up. So who inspires him? His audience and the people he meets. You too can find inspiration from those around you. Take each knock as it comes, but stand tall and don’t build big mountains out of small setbacks.

Look after yourself

We can achieve much of what we want in life by adopting the right mentality: Be open to change, allow yourself to take measured risks, welcome new opportunities, take life’s ups and downs as challenges, listen and be inspired by others. In fact, many of the qualities you need in order to look after yourself, and to get ahead in life are highlighted in the poem, “If”, by Rudyard Kipling. It’s certainly worth reading the poem and thinking about its message. It’ll help you to become a better person if you try to adopt its values. The poem was written for his son who joined the army and fought in the trenches during World War One.

The difference is that you don’t have to fight in your own trenches, particularly as people will be attracted to you if you inspire them, persuading them that you are the right person for the job in hand. Your success begins with your own way of thinking. If you are down, the battle is with yourself but you can find peace within you too. You can adopt fresh ways of thinking in the conversations that you have with yourself. Your inner thoughts control your emotions. Be positive, but not naïve. Some scepticism can be healthy, whereas too much pessimism will give you the blues. Tell yourself that you will achieve your goals, rather than thinking it will never happen. Be realistic and keep your options open.

Be a victor, not a victim

When you’re down try to find comfort in your family, friends and the activities you pursue. Short of money? While you may need to save money and watch your budget, you are still human and so staying at home all of the time won’t help you to be positive. Finding a free hobby, or even volunteering your time, can get you out of the house and make you feel that your time is productive.  The phrase, “No man is an island” is very true. If you become an island, in time you will most certainly become downhearted. The great thing about life is that you don’t always have to spend a lot of money to feel on top of the world. Sometimes it’s the simple things that count, and contentment begins with appreciating what you have already got rather than what you don’t currently have.

For example, if you like football, kicking a football around a park could help you to remain positive and focused. It’s also good to surround yourself with people that have a balanced and positive mental attitude, but remembering that helping some who wants your help can also be inspiring. That could be a friend, a member of your family or a local voluntary organisation. Whatever you do, try undertaking activities that benefit you mentally and emotionally. Be proactive.

It’s important to keep busy, even if you are between jobs at the moment. Try finding a temporary job to pay your bills and to have some pocket money. This will help you to maintain your self-esteem, enabling you to enjoy life while you look around for your next big opportunity. It will also boost your confidence, and make you feel good about yourself. Keep looking for inspiration as this will put you much closer to achieving your own life’s ambitions. It’s your choice, but with the right attitude you will gain the career and personal altitude that you desire. Keep thinking that you are worth it – because you most certainly are!

Find inspiration too by reading and taking note of our useful tips and advice in Jobsite Insider.

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