"𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒏'𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝒂 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒋𝒐𝒃 𝒚𝒆𝒕?"

Have you heard these words from family and friends, "𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒏'𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝒂 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒋𝒐𝒃 𝒚𝒆𝒕?"

Isn't it hard enough day in and day out to be searching for new opportunities, applying, marketing yourself, networking, not hearing a word, and receiving rejection emails to hear those 8 awful words on top of all of that from family or friends?

So what can someone do to stay upbeat, keep a positive mindset when all of the above is bringing you down?

𝙃𝒆𝙧𝒆 𝒂𝙧𝒆 𝒔𝙤𝒎𝙚 𝙩𝒉𝙞𝒏𝙜𝒔 𝒚𝙤𝒖 𝒄𝙖𝒏 𝒅𝙤:

1️⃣ Have a lighthearted comeback - "I'm enjoying my time off. I'm getting to do all the things I never had the time for when I was working."

2️⃣ If the stress is increasing or reaching an all time high, seek professional help with a counselor or therapist.

3️⃣ Find a mentor that has been through layoffs or unemployment who can understand your challenges and can be a part of your support team.

4️⃣ If you have people around you who are critical of the way you are going about finding new opportunities, learn not to share every detail with them.

5️⃣ If you are feeling discouraged, try and stay positive when you are talking about your job search. This will help you stay motivated and show others that you are confident in your abilities.

6️⃣ Schedule down time weekly, something fun to do that will get your mind off of the job search process. It will give you something fun to plan and look forward to each week.

7️⃣ If you have been at it for awhile and have no idea why you aren't getting interviews or getting the offer it may be time to consult with a career coach.

8️⃣ Remind yourself that it can take several months to find a new opportunity worth accepting. Pace yourself - this is a marathon not a sprint for the majority of us.

9️⃣ Try volunteering either in your field or in something you just enjoy. Helping others less fortunate can really help put things in perspective.

🔟Remember to acknowledge and celebrate all the small wins along the way. Each one is getting you closer to your new opportunity.

For those of us who talk to someone who has been looking for a new opportunity for a while, let's try to be more sympathetic and empathetic to the struggles of finding new job opportunities. It is never easy or enjoyable for most people. Think before you say those dreaded words, "𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒏'𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝒂 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒋𝒐𝒃 𝒚𝒆𝒕?"