There’s A Positive Side To Everything. It Just Takes The Positive Mind To See It
Finding a job is not an easy process. Trying to find a job as an immigrant even harder. Personally, I can easily relate to both statements since I have been there myself. The primary focus of today’s article is to share how a positive/right mindset is important during the job search.
I assume you have already heard many times that both tailoring your resume and cover letter are important. I agree with it, but what I found even more important is having a positive mindset. Let’s check an example below:
Well-known fact: Networking is one of the most effective ways to land a job.
Your brain: It is intimidating to start a conversation with a person who I do not know. How should I start the conversation?
Positive mindset: I live only once! Why should I miss a great opportunity to meet new interesting people? I can have a productive conversation which can help me to build strong and fruitful relationships.
This example shows how the right mindset can be a game-changer in the job search. Practice makes it easier. The first step is always the hardest one. The confidence comes when we refuse to stay in our comfort zone.
Sometimes we feel blue and even if we want, we find it’s hard to switch our mindset to the right one. Especially, when we keep receiving rejection after rejection or even worse when we treated with silence. So another tip that I can suggest is surrounding yourself with people who are upbeat and positive. When I was in a job search, I met with different job seekers during various networking events and employment centres. Soon after these, I would reflect. Most of the time, I knew that I would not get a job, but at least I felt encouraged by people who had a positive mindset. People with the right attitude are always happy to help and lift others who need it. If you find these people, stick to them.
Last but not least, I suggest watching this TED talk by Alison Ledgerwood where she shares a simple trick for kicking negative thinking to the curb so we can start focusing on the upside. In this talk, Alison explains how our perception of the world tends to lean negative, but with practice, she emphasizes we can find ways of unlocking a more positive outlook. My biggest takeaways from the talk are:
- Focus on positive moments (small or big)
- Practice gratefulness (either by expressing it verbally or by jotting it down in a notebook)
Both make us happier and healthier. These are the main ingredients that we need to find our dream job.
When you feel blue during your job search, find time for self-care, surround yourself with people who are cheerful and supportive, and practice gratitude. These tips helped me immensely and hopefully, they will help you. Good luck with your job search!
