How to Stay Positive in Executive Job Search

Even in the best of times, job hunting can be daunting, challenging and stressful. It can can wreak havoc on your emotional state and self-esteem. Is a positive executive job search experience even possible for most people?

As I write this, we’ve been dealing with the pandemic for one year. Along with the many hardships we’ve all faced over the past year, if you’re job-hunting you’ve got that much more additional stress.

It’s difficult to keep a positive mindset when you’re job hunting because – unless you’re very lucky – you’ll face at least some rejections.

You’ll get your hopes up when you seem to be sailing through the interview process for a job you covet, only to learn they’ve chosen someone else . . . if you even do find out.

The drastic ups and downs can take a toll on even the most upbeat person, and may cause you to carry negativity with you, as you network and interview.

To make matters worse, according to Russ Harris in his book The Happiness Trap, 80 percent of our thoughts contain negative content (whether or not we’re job hunting).

It’s part of our way of coping with the fast-paced world around us. We’ve evolved into problem-fixers, always sussing out things that need our attention.

What a way to navigate the already difficult executive job search landscape . . . with the weight of negativity on your back!

But there are some things you can do to bolster your ego, keep from believing those negative vibes are true, and excel through the inevitable negative experiences associated with executive job search.

Some ways to boost your happiness

Doing things that make you happy is one way to push down negativity.

TheEmotionMachine.com put together a list of 100 hacks for boosting your happiness chemicals.

Beyond the typical suggestions of meditating, going for a walk, and pursuing a hobby, they offer the following things to boost serotonin, which is often associated with mood regulation and happiness:

Think kind thoughts about yourself to practice self-compassion.
Practice a progressive muscle relaxation to relax both your body and mind.
Identify one thing you are grateful for every day – make gratitude a daily mental habit.
Write in a daily journal about your thoughts and feelings.
Train your mind to be more positive. Try to minimize complaining and talking about problems too much.
Find opportunities to engage in healthy reflection.
Have a genuine and meaningful conversation with someone (know the difference between small talk vs. big questions).

Check out the article for activities to boost these other happiness-inducing chemicals:

Endorphins – associated with stimulation, energy, and feelings of relief (pain-killers)
Oxytocin – associated with feelings of love, affection, and bonding
Dopamine – associated with reward-seeking and goal-oriented behavior

My 10 Tips to Stay Positive in Your Executive Job Search

1. Remember that bad times or situations are only temporary.

Things can (and do) change in a moment. I’ve had clients land a dream job within a day or two of finishing work with them on their LinkedIn profiles, resumes and biographies.

They connected with the right person, at the right time, and presented them with these materials, that clearly positioned them as the best fit for the opportunity they discussed.

One client of mine, a Chief Technology Officer, made that kind of connection on the golf course on a Saturday. On Monday, he signed an employment contract for a role that was a perfect fit for him.

It may help to verbalize the sentiment. Try saying out loud, “This is only temporary”.

2. Accentuate the positive. Latch on to the affirmative.

Remember the old Johnny Mercer song? Good advice!

Instead of dwelling on the bad things, or what’s NOT happening in your job search, think of all the good things going on in your life. Be grateful for the good friends you have, your loving family, the creature comforts in your life, your loyal pet(s), an unexpected kindness from someone.

Many people turn around negative thoughts by keeping a gratitude journal. Try writing down 3 things every day that you’re grateful for.

3. Avoid negative people.

You know who they are. They’re the ones who greet you with insensitive questions like “Did you get a job yet?” Half-empty types and chronic complainers can drain the energy out of you, and make you feel worse. Circumvent them as much as possible.

Sometimes it helps to have ready answers for those awkward, embarrassing questions about your career situation.

For instance, if someone at a get-together feels they need to remind you of your situation, and says “I can’t believe you got fired! How are you doing?”, a polite answer that will shut down the conversation might be “I saw it coming and I’m looking forward to a fresh start. But thanks for your concern.”

4. Stay connected and reconnect with fun people.

Refrain from dumping your negativity about your job search on them. Stay upbeat and reinvigorate yourself through their positivity.

Do you have favorite comedians? Watch videos or movies of theirs to perk yourself up. Belly laughs will work wonders and help you turn around your negativity.

5. Determine and 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.

6. Get silly with your negative thoughts.

Barbara Markway Ph.D. suggested in a Psychology Today article to sing your thoughts or say them in a funny voice:

“Try singing your thoughts to the alphabet song or to Row, Row, Row Your Boat. Your thoughts will certainty sound absurd this way, which is the whole point.”

7. Set aggressive, but realistic, job search goals.

Determine how many hours a day or week you can invest in job search activities, including:

Expanding your LinkedIn and other networks
Researching your target companies
Reaching out to people at your target companies
Staying in touch with recruiters in your niche
Staying top-of-mind with people who can help you with your career goals.

Keep at it until you complete your goals, then reward yourself by taking the rest of the day off.

8. Forget about job search for a day or two.

Take a few days 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, tooling around with a hobby, or learning something new. Make yourself NOT think about job search at all.

9. Eat right. Take care of yourself.

Especially eat a good breakfast every day. If you have an unhealthy diet, learn how to improve it. Healthy eating definitely improves mental outlook, stamina and overall well-being.

Learn how to cook and save money over going out to eat or ordering takeout. Cooking is a satisfying and positive diversion from negative thinking.

Exercise regularly, even if it’s just to take a short walk. And things like yoga, tai chi, qi gong, going to the gym, dancing, etc. can all make a big difference. Movement helps stimulate the brain and can shake away negative thoughts.

10. Sleep well.

Even if you don’t 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. Keep your phone and other devices out of the bedroom.