Blog Post: Staying Energized: Confidence, Creativity and Collaboration (part two)

Yesterday, we discussed the importance of confidence in your job search, and how to manage it. Today, we're looking at Creativity and Collaboration.

CREATIVITY: You already know you're competing with unprecedented numbers of applicants for the same job. So continuing to come up with creative ways to get your foot in the door can be a challenge. Which is why the first step is to take care of yourself FIRST. The anxiety and fear around a job search can be draining. When you are fearful and exhausted, nothing new opens up and you don't have the emotional energy to think about trying one more thing that may or may not work. So make sure you're taking time for you. Get enough sleep, talk to friends, exercise, take a day or two each week completely "off" from your job hunt.

Next, consider a different way in to the job. Propose externships with your target companies. They will get help they need, particularly if they're understaffed due to layoffs. And you might not get paid, but you will make new connections, gain new experience for your resume, and have a new source of recommendations. This can be a particularly great strategy if you are using this transition time to change careers altogether. You'll gain new skills and industry experience, as well as invaluable relationships.

A sense of purpose and usefulness is critical to staying energized. Volunteering is a way to put your skills to use, add to your resume, and make connections outside of the industry you're already in. You never know where the next job lead will come from, and creating relationships while giving back to the community will help you feel supported and needed at the same time.

COLLABORATION: Staying in communication with others will not only offer you support, but will help you come up with new ideas. Chances are, you know a lot of people who are out of work, but they each have networks of their own that might help you. Consider joining a local job club, or form one of your own in your community. This will keep you brainstorming and connected with other people, rather than feeling like you have to go it alone.

List your skill sets, then list the skill sets of people in your network. How could they complement each other? Particularly if you're considering starting a new business, could your offer be stronger if you played off someone else's offer? Think about who you are in a position to help, too.

Use social media to request help in getting to a real, live person at your target companies. LinkedIn is a great way to search for the right person and find out if anyone you know can make an introduction. C

onsider partnering with someone else you know who is out of work. Commit to calling or emailing each other daily with your plan for the day and your progress from the day before. Having someone to check in with can keep you on track in your action plan and generate new ideas. Working with a coach can also be a great way to collaborate with a completely objective person, to help you see where you get stuck and create new strategies.

If you manage your Confidence, Creativity and Collaboration, you'll stay energized and engaged during your job search, and may even open up entirely new doors. To your success!