Stay Positive With Your Job Search

If you follow the career services' social media, you may have read this article already.  It’s called “Tips for Staying Positive In a Job Search” found on http://blog.resumebear.com. As I read this article, I was able to relate.  I am a senior graduating in just a couple weeks, so I know more than anyone just how tough and emotionally draining the job search can be. I’ve gone through many ups and downs, but staying positive is the key.

Some of my favorite tips from the article are as follows:

Stay away from whiners and complainers

You are probably already on edge and emotional.  If you are surrounded by people that constantly whine and complain, they are only going to bring you down further.  Find people who push you and energize you!

Do Exercise

Exercise releases endorphins.  Endorphins make you happy.  Take a quick walk, go to the RAC, dance or whatever else it may be.  This will help from keeping you down and will motivate you on your job hunt.

Change your attitude by looking at the positives
Ask yourself: What went well today? What are the three best things I did in that interview? These questions will help you keep the right attitude.  Things are always going to go wrong with every situation, but it’s how you look at the situation that really matters. Attitude is everything!


Celebrate Small Successes
“Focusing on the small wins gives you the energy and confidence to tackle the bigger challenges that you know still lie ahead.”


Let Yourself Have a Bad Day
Job hunting is an emotional thing.  Everyone has ups and downs, so let yourself be emotional. 


For me, a lot of this has been easier said than done, but everything on this list has helped a ton.  Try it yourself and let us know how it works for you!


Ashley Salim
Career Educator


Photo Credit: Ms. Career Girl

It's All About the Attitude!

I’m not sure about you, but when I was growing up my mom always told me, “Attitude is everything.”  Little did I know way back when; this statement is true for many aspects of life, even while on the job hunt.

The article “Attitude Makes a Huge Difference When You're Trying to Get a Job,” by Hank Stringer,  talks about how important being positive and having a good attitude is to employers.  You might think that you sound cheesy or corny, but without the “cheesiness” you might not sound like a go-getter or motivator which is important at most jobs.

Stringer writes, “many companies may find that attitude is more important than one having the specific skills needed, combined with a questionable attitude.”

You can always be trained in specific skills, but teaching an attitude or behavior is much more difficult to change.  If you want the job, make sure you have a positive attitude and it is much more likely it will be yours.  Everyone is likely to have a bad day every now and then, but thinking positively is an easy way to turn those days around.

Here are some things I like to do to stay positive:

1. If you sit down and think about it, there are always two sides to everything.  Look at the positives in your sticky situation.
2. Always remember, life goes on.
3. Tell yourself every experience is a learning experience, good or bad.
4. Challenge yourself and remind yourself you can do anything.
5. Surround yourself with positive people who encourage you.

Now I want to hear from you. Tell us what some of your attitude tips are or how you sell yourself to employers!


Ashley Salim
Career Educator