Executive job search isn’t easy, especially at the c-level and senior executive level.
For every job seeker, at any professional level, there’s so much to do … so much to know … so much to worry about.
If you’ve been at it for a while, you may find yourself getting discouraged, and wondering how you’ll persevere until you land that job.
16 Ways to Keep Yourself Moving Forward in Executive Job Search
1. Bolster your confidence.
Revisit your job search marketing materials – your resume, other documents, LinkedIn profile, etc. They’ll help remind you of your great past achievements and the value you offer your target employers.
2. Reach out to other unemployed friends and colleagues.
See how they’re doing. Share a great job search tip, resource, book or lead to help them. Do this with no expectation of reciprocity.
3. Co-mentor with another job seeker.
Find someone you can connect with frequently to share successes and strategies. Support each other through failures.
4. Join a job search support group.
You’ll be among people going through the same ups and downs, who will share techniques that work and those that don’t. They understand what you’re feeling in a way that your family and friends may not be able to. Libraries often host these groups.
5. Avoid negative people.
You know who they are . . . the Debbie Downers we all come across. “Half-empty” types and chronic complainers can drain the energy out of you.
6. Stay connected and reconnect with fun people.
Refrain from dumping your negativity about your job search on them. Stay upbeat and re-energize yourself through their positivity.
7. Research job search strategies.
Google things like”executive job search”, “job search networking”, “job interviewing”. Try a new technique. My ebook covers the job search basics and will be helpful.
8. Build your network.
Try to reach out to several new people each week. Go into it with a “give to get” attitude. Don’t ask them for help. Determine how you can help them.
9. Volunteer your time.
If you have a favorite local charity or group, find out how you can help them. Approach this with a purely philanthropic intent. But know that people who volunteer sometimes fall into good leads . . . and volunteering counts as employment, if you’re concerned about an employment gap.
10. Nip negativity in the bud.
Do something to distract yourself and shift your thoughts. When you feel it creeping up on you, make yourself think of something nice, before negativity takes hold and pulls you down that dark path. Think of all the things you’re grateful for.
11. Plan for the worst case scenario.
What will you do if the worst happens, whatever that may be for you? Having a plan can soften the blow if the worst actually happens, and can help you switch off the fear if you find yourself worrying too much that it will happen.
12. Forget about job search for a day.
Take a week day off from job search every now and then, and do something for yourself. Go on a day trip with your spouse and/or family or alone. Spend the day reading a light novel, playing your favorite sport, binge-watching comedies, tooling around with a hobby, or learning something new. Make yourself NOT think about job search at all.
13. Keep moving.
It’s just too easy to spend all your time at the computer or on the phone. Refresh yourself by getting up and out. Take several renewal breaks every day.
14. Eat right.
Especially eat a good breakfast every day. If you have an unhealthy diet, learn how to improve it. Learn how to cook and save money over going out to eat. Cooking itself is also a satisfying and positive diversion from negative thinking.
15. Sleep well.
Even though you may not have to get up in the morning to go to work, try to keep “working hours”. Keep your body in the rhythm of going to bed and getting up at the same time.
If worries are keeping you from sleeping, try meditation and deep breathing before you go to bed to empty your head of negative thoughts. Try keeping a pad by your bed to write down those thoughts or problems making you toss and turn.
16. Set realistic, but aggressive, daily job search goals.
Keep at it until you complete your goals, then reward yourself by taking the rest of the day off.
More About Executive Job Search
The One Skill Every Executive Job Seeker Should Have
Use LinkedIn Wisely in Your Executive Job Search
10 Reasons To Love Your Personal Brand
Worried About Age Discrimination? 9 Things on Your Executive Resume That Show Your Age
Let me add one comment. Job Search is an Emotional Roller Coaster ride. At BJM (Between Jobs Ministry), we’ve helped more than 13,000 people land new jobs since 1999. We’ve learned to teach that you should only spend 30 hours per week in job search. Give the remaining 10 hours to doing many of the things on this list to rebuild your emotional strength. If you don’t, you will find networking hard and you won’t interview well.
You make some good points, Rich. Thanks for commenting.
Meg, these are great recommendations. I think that numbers 1 – 4 can result in what I call an energy surge. Just reviewing materials, looking for dropped contacts, and something I have not seen mentioned before – #3 – sharing ideas and resources with another – can be a great energy boosters
Rita
Thanks for commenting, Rita.
I’m hoping that, along with laying out some steps to get energized in a protracted job search, this post will affirm that indeed today’s job search can be trying and daunting, and that job seekers are not alone in experiencing disappointments and setbacks.
Best,
Meg