Job seekers who
have been searching for work for two or more years are bound to start feeling
their self-confidence crumble. But
lack of confidence can stymie even the most determined job candidate’s search.
That’s why it’s important to shore up the coping skills you will need when the
going gets tough. Let’s take a look about three confidence builders job
candidates can use when they start feeling “down in the dumps” about a
difficult job search:
1.
Remember
that you’re not alone and that there is an end in sight. Unless you’re one of the “unemployable”
members of our workforce (people with serious non-work related issues such as a
crime record, history of substance abuse, a shoddy work record etc.) your bout
with unemployment is not going to last forever. A matter of fact, the United States has been fairly lucky as
many western industrialized nations have unemployed workers who remain
unemployed for three or more years, on average.
2.
Count
your non-work related accomplishments as achievements that should be
celebrated. Maybe you volunteer
with an organization and helped them launch a program or assisted them with a
legal issue. These types of accomplishments are valuable even if they are not
directly compensated.
3.
If
your confidence is slipping because you feel that you’re not as skilled or
experienced as other job candidates, take the time to improve your skills. Once again, volunteering can be a real
confidence builder because it allows you to actually do something related to
your field while you’re searching for paid work; but also because it allows you
to build your skills and experience.