Job applications can be stressful enough (without a pandemic happening at the same time) and it can leave us feeling overwhelmed.

We’ve collaborated this month with an amazing subscription box company called The Positivity Package (enter our competition with them here). We asked them for their best tips for remaining positive, especially during job searches.

Dealing with Rejection

While we all know it’s inevitable, rejection is not fun for anyone. It can bring with it, some self-doubt.

However, you’ve got to think of job applications and interviews as finding the right pair of shoes. Not every pair is going to be perfect – not every job is perfect. Just like trying on lots of shoes, job applications and interviews will result in you finding the right fit for you.

Advice from The Positivity Package: “The key to staying positive through rejection is to not try and take it too personally. That might sound counterintuitive but the important thing is to not put rejection down to an individual fault you have.

There might be a hundred reasons that you weren’t the right fit for the role at that particular time, it could even be that the employer didn’t feel they were the right fit for you.

Employers are often looking for very specific skills and are considering if they can offer you the right environment to work in (if they’re a good employer.) Instead of thinking “I wonder what I did wrong” or even worse “what’s wrong with me?” say “that wasn’t the right fit.” Of course, look at your interview technique and how you can improve on things next time. Consistently trying to improve is positive, just don’t dwell on negatives, focus on personal development.”

Embracing Uncertainty

Not having a plan or a next step can be quite daunting. However, treat it like a little adventure for yourself into the unknown. Not every part of life can be planned right?

Sometimes the best things happen without a plan. It opens you up to loads of possibilities.

Advice from The Positivity Package: “If you speak to most people in the middle of a high flying career or a successful business owner, it’s quite rare that what they are doing now, was part of some big plan.

There are exceptions, of course, most Doctors would have gone through College and University knowing they wanted to do something medical and tailored their subjects for that career path.

The truth is for most people, it might take you to 30 to discover what you truly enjoy. There is no blueprint for this. It’s your career path and no one else’s and you can’t compare yourself to other people.

Make small plans and focus on personal development. You might not know where you want to be in ten years, but you can visualise short term plans which makes them much less daunting. Work hard, be passionate, and enjoy the journey. You’ll find your way.”

Forming Good Habits

Being out of a job for a while can start to wear on us. It’s important to get into some kind of routine and find what feels good for you.

Having some routine will give you a sense of stability, even when things don’t feel that way.

Advice from The Positivity Package: “Unfortunately we are going into a recession and a time of uncertainty which means people will be out of work. Most people at some point in their lives will probably be unemployed and it’s very stressful.

Staying focused will help you stay positive. Be consistent. It’s easy to get stuck in a poor routine of day time TV and unhealthy eating habits or consuming too much alcohol.

I have found that it is helpful to treat “myself” as my job. What can I do to make myself more employable, can I learn or improve on a new skill, improve my CV, research for a job interview or get outside and run a few hundred metres more than I did last time.

We feel the most positive when we are investing in ourselves and this doesn’t always have to be a promotion or a pay rise. Invest in yourself and an employer will do too.”

Maintaining Connections

Our mental health is probably the most important thing to nurture during this time.

Make sure you are connecting with family and friends. Whether it’s hosting quizzes or having one-on-one catch-ups. It’s important to not isolate yourself from the people that love you.

Ask them for advice and support – someone in your life will have similar experiences or helpful suggestions for you.

Advice from The Positivity Package: “Speaking to people and staying in contact is essential to our personal happiness. We should also be mindful of who we speak to. A conversation should leave you feeling fulfilled, positive and optimistic but if you are feeling the opposite of this, you’re probably not surrounding yourself with the right people who will help support and motivate you. Not all relationships are equal. Speak to those that inspire and drive you, not bring you down even more.”

Avoiding Unhelpful Comparisons

Job searching naturally makes us start to compare ourselves to others. When this happens it’s good to stop and think about what might be triggering these comparisons.

Make sure you take breaks from social media. Remember, we’re all on our own journeys and sometimes others might seem to have everything together on their socials.

Advice from The Positivity Package: “Comparing ourselves to others will never end well. It’s important to be aware that the perceptions we have of people, especially when it’s a digital one, are probably not very accurate in “real life.” Focus on what you want and how you can better yourself and your own aspirations. If you chase someone else’s dream, you’re not going to be happy with the results. Be yourself, for yourself.”