HOW TO EMBRACE THE JOURNEY OF JOB HUNTING AS PERSONAL GROWTH

Before you start your job hunting journey, you need some idea of where you’re going, how you’re going to get there and who is coming with you. Just make sure your itinerary is in draft so you can change it as you go. In other words, you’re organised but adaptable and flexible.

Your job hunt, like your journey, might take some time so it’s important to surround yourself with a good support network. This may include other job seekers, career coaches, professional mentors, close family members and friends. They can help you navigate, provide encouragement and guidance, or simply someone a listening ear.

In many cases, the job hunting journey is unlikely to be linear. Your route may twist and turn, which you could find uncomfortable and unsettling. This is where your adaptability and flexibility come in! You can learn to navigate the unexpected in the knowledge that it’s only one part of the journey.

Be aware that you will travel at different speeds on certain sections of your job hunting journey. Sometimes, you’ll be able to put your foot on the accelerator – perhaps you’ve secured a job interview. On other occasions, you may get stuck in a traffic jam – maybe a role has been put on hold. Patience and resilience are useful traits when it comes to job hunting. You can’t always travel at the pace you want. But, if you get stuck for too long without moving, it may be time to rethink your route.

It’s likely that there will be plenty of turnings for you to explore on your job hunting journey. And coming to a crossroad opens up even more opportunities. Be curious. Take the left or right turn instead of going straight ahead. Explore different roles, industry sectors and locations. You may discover something you hadn’t initially thought of when you set out.

Every driver knows how frustrating it can be to reach a dead end. And this can happen in your job search, too. Your resume may be rejected for a role you really want. Or you may make it to the final stage of a hiring process only to miss out. Dealing with rejection is hard. It’s important to turnaround and find a route that leads somewhere else.

It’s for good reason that many highways have rest areas. Being in the driving seat for extended periods of time is not good for your health. Make sure you take time off your job search, even if it’s just for a day or two. You’ll return, refreshed and ready to go again.