Applying for jobs should be seen as an opportunity, not a chore. Here’s how to change your mindset and inject new energy into your job hunt.
Applying for jobs isn’t the most thrilling exercise, and it’s often an afterthought on your daily to-do list. If you find yourself pressed for time or unmotivated when it comes to filling out job applications, chances are you’re not giving them enough thought.
Picture this: you come home after a long day, make dinner, do all your housework and you’re ready to sleep. You get into bed and spend 15 minutes sending out some bulk job applications using a generic resume and cover letter. Weeks pass and the unsuccessful application emails start piling up in your inbox.
It’s easy to get trapped in this cycle, even with good intentions. Scout’s got tips to help you mix up your approach and change your mindset – to give you the best chance at landing your next job.
If you can, set aside half a day and dedicate it to your job hunt. Get out of bed, have a good breakfast and get cleaned up, then (if you're able) head somewhere public but comfortable, such as a library or cafe. Planning your time and setting yourself up in public will help you feel more alert than you would at home or in bed. If your mind is sharp, you’ll give yourself a better chance of putting together some quality applications.
While filling out job applications isn’t the most exciting task, your mindset plays an important role in how you approach it. Remind yourself that each application is a chance at an exciting new opportunity in your life and take pride in how you go about chasing it. Look for employers that share similar values and goals to your own and approach each application as a way to better yourself, not as a chore.
This step is the most time consuming, but also the most important. Taking extra time to make small changes to your resume and cover letter for each role is one of the most effective ways to stand out as an applicant. Change key words to align with the employer’s wants and needs, showcase relevant skills and experience as succinctly and as early on as you can in your cover letter and address specific key selection criteria instead of listing generic skills. If you can, ask a friend to read over your application to make sure it’s easy to digest and be open to feedback. Take time to look at an employer’s website and social media pages and make a note of their tone and attitude. Is it a casual or more professional-feeling workplace? Your application’s tone should reflect that of the employer.
Once you think your application is ready to go, stand up, take a deep breath and take a five-minute break away from your laptop. Once you’re ready, read over the job ad, your resume and cover letter again. Chances are you’ll find a few small mistakes that you would’ve missed otherwise. It’s important to do this for every application, and small breathers throughout the day will help you stay motivated.
Take a break at the end of each application and repeat the steps above. You’re better off taking your time and submitting three or four quality applications in a day as opposed to 10 or more rushed ones. Make a day of it – have a nice lunch, take your time on each application and put yourself in a professional headspace. If applying for jobs becomes the focus of your day, rather than an afterthought, you’ll put yourself in a great position to land an exciting new role.
