You're feeling discouraged during a job search. How can you stay motivated?

1 Acknowledge your feelings

It is normal to feel discouraged during a job search, but you don't have to let it overwhelm you. Instead of ignoring or suppressing your feelings, acknowledge them and express them in a healthy way. You can talk to a friend, a mentor, or a counselor, write in a journal, or practice meditation. By validating your emotions, you can release some of the stress and gain perspective.

2 Set realistic expectations

One of the reasons you may feel discouraged is because you have unrealistic expectations about your job search. You may think that you will find your dream job quickly, easily, or without any rejection. However, this is not how the job market works. You may have to apply to many positions, face competition, and deal with delays or silence. Instead of setting yourself up for disappointment, set realistic goals and timelines for your job search. For example, you can aim to apply to a certain number of jobs per week, follow up with potential employers, or network with contacts.

3 Celebrate your achievements

Another way to stay motivated is to celebrate your achievements, no matter how small or big they are. You may not have landed a job offer yet, but you have made progress and learned new skills along the way. You can reward yourself for completing tasks, getting interviews, or improving your resume. You can also keep track of your accomplishments and feedback in a journal or a spreadsheet. This will help you see how far you have come and boost your confidence.

4 Seek support and feedback

You don't have to go through your job search alone. You can seek support and feedback from others who can help you in different ways. For example, you can join a job search group, attend a workshop, or enroll in a course to learn new skills and network with peers. You can also ask for feedback from professionals, mentors, or coaches who can give you advice and guidance on your resume, cover letter, or interview skills. By seeking support and feedback, you can improve your chances of finding a job and feel less isolated.

5 Take care of yourself

Your job search is important, but it is not the only thing that matters. You also need to take care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally. You can do this by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, such as eating well, sleeping enough, exercising regularly, and avoiding drugs or alcohol. You can also do things that make you happy, such as spending time with your family, friends, or pets, pursuing your hobbies, or volunteering for a cause. By taking care of yourself, you can reduce your stress, improve your mood, and increase your energy.

6 Keep an open mind

Finally, you can stay motivated by keeping an open mind and being flexible during your job search. You may have a specific idea of what kind of job you want, but you may also find opportunities that you didn't expect or consider before. You can explore different options, such as changing your industry, location, or role, or taking on a temporary, freelance, or part-time job. You can also learn new skills, update your resume, or try new strategies to market yourself. By keeping an open mind, you can discover new possibilities and opportunities for your career.