Hacks To Turn Your Job Search Into A Fun Adventure
I remember watching a movie in which thousands of people were in a refugee camp. A helicopter visits once a week to distribute food and relief kits to them. The food packets are limited, and hundreds of refugees want it. Today, a job search feels like that.
If you’re in your job-seeking era, we get your frustration, exhaustion, and fear. Indeed claims that 1 in 4 job seekers experience job search anxiety. But we’ve got hacks to turn your job ‘hunt’ into a fun safari.
First, let’s understand the term”hacks”. Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries defines it as ‘a strategy or technique that you use in order to manage an activity in a more efficient way’. Now, let’s move on to these “strategies” that can make your job search more stress-free, quick, and not-so-annoying.
1. Get out of isolation and find a job search buddy.
When I was jobless, I avoided social interactions. I didn’t want to talk about how recruiters weren’t shortlisting me and how desperate I was. Coincidentally, I got in touch with a school friend who was struggling to find a job, too.
We’d get together every few weeks over cheap coffee and buns, and discuss our joblessness. This kept me going.
“A job search can lead to isolation, as it involves a lot of individual work and even rejection. It can make a person feel emotionally, financially, and professionally vulnerable. Partnering up with another job seeker for check-ins adds companionship, accountability, and motivation to this process,” said Lauren Milligan, a career coach and resume writer for ResuMAYDAY.
Over time, my friend and I became a support group with an agenda — finding job opportunities. And every alternate Wednesday, we’d state our modified game plan based on the last two weeks.
Milligan added, “An accountability partner can streamline the process by keeping you organized, focused, and goal-oriented. They can also make introductions to their network, and share resources, industry insights, and job leads. All this can lead to less time on the market.”
2. Treat yourself. (Yes, you deserve it.)
Digital Frontiers claims that when we treat ourselves we feel energized and when we don’t, we feel deprived. Searching for a job is a journey with multiple dead ends. And rewards, even non-monetary ones, can be your silver lining and/or your fuel.
“Rewarding yourself gives you something to look forward to, especially when your job search is lagging. It reinforces positive behavior and encourages positive thinking – two things that are critical in a job search,” said Milligan.
For me, buying books was my reward, but on days I couldn’t spend much, I treated myself to a movie or a series, which (almost) had the same effect.
Milligan explains how you can set up a reward system. “Break your job search down into individual goals, such as connecting with 20 new people on LinkedIn, getting professional certification, attending a networking event, and following up with those people, etc. Create a to-do list that contains four sections: Goal, Resources Needed, Delivery Date, and Reward. And then…work towards it” she added.
3. Let everyone know you’re on the job hunt.
When my friend launched her therapy practice, her dating app bio said, “You can be my boyfriend, friend, or therapy client. We both know what you need the most :p” She scored many friends and one long-term client (the boyfriend part is a story for another day).
It’s OK to switch your networking gear from quality to quantity. Tell anyone and everyone you meet what you’re looking for.
When I was low on freelance clients, everyone, from my gym trainers to my regular barista knew I was open to opportunities. During one such conversation, a friend asked me to edit blog posts for her which turned into an offer to edit her book too!
4. Empower yourself with a new side hustle.
Who says a job can be your only income? With just 2-3 hours a day, you can start a side hustle that earns you a couple of bucks.
Dr. Constance Craig-Mason, a financial advisor and CEO of Concierge Financial Advisory states, “Side hustles like reselling clothes or freelancing can shift your mindset, from feeling dependent on the next opportunity to feeling in control of your journey. It redefines financial stability and success while still pursuing your long-term career goals.”
Plus, side hustles instill additional and attractive skills within.
“Side hustles show employers that you’re proactive, resourceful, and not afraid to take on challenges. They demonstrate skills like time management, creativity, and even entrepreneurship”, continues Dr. Craig-Mason.
5. Sell your skills creatively.
You might think that opportunities are scarce. If hundreds apply to one job post, the logical solution is to skip ahead of the line. But how will you stand out among a herd? With creativity.
In a piece by Mental Floss, people explain unconventional ways with which they’ve landed jobs — sending a cake to the hiring manager, creating a song about the employer (after applying to a job), and more.
Being creative with your application doesn’t just get you noticed, it also demonstrates your willingness, problem-solving skills, and efficiency that can translate into your role.
