Job Search: Best Ways To Stay Motivated

The job search has become even more challenging with the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic. The latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QFLS) has been published by Stats SA for the first quarter of 2021. The survey shows an increase in the number of unemployed people in the country, to an all-time high of 32.6%. The number of discouraged job-seekers increased by 201,000 (6.9%), with little indication that the situation will improve in the near future.

As a job seeker, these figures can be very intimidating and you could feel that there is no hope but it is now more important than ever to stay focused and motivated. So, what can we do? How can we stay motivated? You may have sent hundreds of applications, not even to receive a reply. We have put together a few ideas that could help you with the job search in these uncertain times.

“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” Albert Einstein

Make sure you are applying for the right jobs

When applying for a position, you need to be honest with yourself. Do you meet all the requirements? Are you over or underqualified for the role? Some job postings will contain a mere impossible “wish list” of qualifications for the ideal candidate to possess. Your job is to identify which of those are on the companies list of must-have requirements. The job application will be a waste of your time and theirs if a Degree and 5 years of experience are required and you don’t have these.

If you are overqualified for the job, you could expect the salary to be less than what you’re used to earning. In addition, the company may suspect that you will get bored in the role and change jobs as soon as a better opportunity presents itself. However, don’t underestimate your years of experience either, especially since not every person is 100 percent qualified for any position. If you think you could do the job and do have most of the requirements, then apply for the job.

Organise your job search

It is important to keep busy, engaged and motivated while searching for jobs. One way to do this is to create a spreadsheet and keep track of all your applications. Having a structured spreadsheet will help you to stay focused and keep your mind busy. This will help you to stay organised. It will also save you from re-applying for the same job multiple times. In your spreadsheet you should include the following:

• The list of companies you’ve applied to
• The job title
• The job description
• The application date
• The closing date for applications
• Email address or the online application link
• Contact person if available

Register your cv

Rather than posting job vacancies online, many recruiters search for candidate cv’s. In order to be found by these recruiters, it is important to register your cv. At freerecruit.co.za you can register your cv for free and be found by employers looking to fill their roles.

Set goals for your job search

You should set weekly or monthly goals. Use a job board like freerecruit.co.za to find five new positions each week, and apply. Tailor your cv and cover letter for each position, based on the job description. the more jobs you apply for, the more chance you have of getting an interview. Please take note of the point we made above however and make sure you are applying for the right jobs.

Highlight your in-demand soft skills

If you compare your cv to other job-seekers, does it make you stand out from others with the same qualifications and similar experience? By highlighting the soft skills that recruiters look for, you stand a greater chance of landing an interview. Soft skills can be defined as personality traits that enable a person to perform effectively in the workplace. Put together a list of soft skills that you possess. If you are not sure what your soft skills are, speak to your family and friends or look at your history and find examples.

Some examples of soft skills are:

• Good work ethic
• Leadership Skills
• Emotional intelligence
• Communication skills
• The ability to work well in a team
• Professionalism
• Learning skills
• Time management skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Conflict resolution skills

Be sure to highlight these and give some examples for your past at either school or previous employment.

Create job alerts

A job alert is a notification that comes your way via email when a job with specific criteria (that you determine) becomes available. Whether you are searching for certain types of jobs or searching for a specific company, job alerts will keep you informed.

Rather than continuously searching job sites or company websites, set criteria for what you are looking for and let technology do the work for you! Job alerts can save you a lot of time and help you to apply for jobs as soon as they become available. This in turn can increase your chances of landing a job interview. Freerecruit.co.za has created a Job Alerts tool for job seekers that is easy to use and really helpful.

Freelance/work from home jobs

While you are searching for a job, you could consider doing some part-time or work from home jobs. Think of a few things you could do to earn some money using your skills and qualifications. For example, if you have experience and enjoy baking, you can sell your food or baked goods to friends, neighbors, online or at local markets. If you have experience in administration, you can offer your services to literally hundreds if not thousands of businesses.

Here are a few work from home online job opportunity ideas

“Every ‘no’ means you are that much closer to a ‘yes'” Lois Lowry

Up your skills, while job searching

No matter what industry or qualification you have, there is always room for growth. Take this time to hone your skills and stay up-to-date with what is happening in your field. There are many resources online and it doesn’t have to cost you a lot of money. YouTube, for example, has copious amounts of tutorials. Udemy, is an online course provider aimed at professional adults and students. They offer many affordable online courses for you to choose from.

If possible, attend webinars, presentations, or events from professionals in your field. These are also great opportunities to network with people in your industry. The more you get out and stay active, the better your chances of staying motivated and beating the job search blues.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, you must stay positive and not give up on your job search. Keep believing in yourself, and remain motivated and active in both your job search and the honing of your skills and experience. If you need any assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us, and will be able to guide you in the right direction.

You may also find these articles useful

Job Searching Tips

Job Alerts: Why you should be using them, and how to get started

Before You Decide to Give up, Please Read This!

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