Staying Motivated in Your Job Search When You’re Just Not Feeling It

A job search can be exciting, filled with promise and possibility.

It can also be downright draining.

Staying motivated during a long job search can be a challenge, but there are things you can do to keep your stamina high and stay the course:

1. Be Varied in Your Approach

Submitting resume after resume to application portals with no sign of life on the other end can make it nearly impossible to stay motivated. Sticking to an approach that isn’t working will only lead to frustration and burnout. Be sure to employ a mix of job search methods, like networking and being active on social media, to keep things fresh.

2. Be Specific in Your Search

You may have many skills and interests, but as a job seeker, you can’t be all things to all people. It’s tough to be passionate about every job if you’re applying for everything from account manager to communications associate.

When recruiters see a candidate applying to so many different roles, they assume this is a candidate who doesn’t know what they want. When you’re not targeted in your approach, you’re not focusing your energy enough to be productive. Stick to a specific career path, rather than trying to be a jack of all trades.

3. Give It a Rest

If you’re always coming in second, it’s easy to lose hope. Sure, you’re getting to final-round interviews, but it’s devastating to keep losing out to other candidates.

Taking a step back  to get some perspective is a must, especially if you feel like you’re drowning in all that job search activity. Take stock of the positive aspects of your search, and trust that the right opportunity will come along. Sometimes, all you need to refuel your motivation is a quick break and a change in mindset.

A version of this article originally appeared on the Atrium Staffing blog.

Michele Mavi is Atrium Staffing ‘s resident career expert.