Staying motivated during an extended job search can be difficult. After all, it can be disheartening to be passed over for great opportunities or if you have trouble finding an ideal role. The key is often maintaining momentum and motivation throughout the process.

Five Tips to Maintain Motivation During a Job Search

1. Stay Positive

Mindset can play a huge role in your success. After all, an enthusiastic job seeker is far more likely to take a highly active approach, apply to jobs regularly and take the time to tailor their job search. Plus, recruiters and hiring managers are looking for positive and passionate candidates. So stick with it, and do your best to maintain a positive mindset. Before you know it, you’ll find yourself at a new job and well on your way to career satisfaction!

2. Plan

One of the best ways to minimize job search frustrations is to start at the beginning. Reflect back on previous roles to identify what you liked and disliked, understand your strengths and weaknesses and have a better understanding of what you would like to do moving forward. Create a strategy so that you have a plan and consistent focus. While planning, make sure to set realistic goals to avoid setting yourself up for failure.

3. Track Progress

Track your efforts so that you know how your job search is progressing and whether you need to make adjustments to the plan. It’s better to recognize issues earlier rather than later, so that they can be addressed with less wasted time and effort. On the other hand, it should lend to a sense of achievement as you progress through your plan and meet various goals. Make sure to celebrate your successes, even the small ones. The sense of accomplishment will aid in your ongoing enthusiasm and ambition.

4. Establish a Routine

Sometimes, we are our own worst enemies. After all, it’s easy to slip into a funk when things aren’t working out exactly as planned. Ensure that you maintain your job search efforts, despite any frustrations, by establishing a routine early in the process. Set aside time each day to focus on your job search. For example, you could block out time each day to source for new opportunities, further grow your skills, network and maintain your online presence. Make sure to set aside time to focus on self-care as well.

5. Volunteer

Volunteering is a great way to give back to the community, while bettering yourself and furthering your job search efforts. For example, you could augment your current skill sets, learn a new specialty and fill gaps on your resume. It’s also a great opportunity to network with like-minded individuals. Plus, volunteering shows character, highlights your interests and could potentially provide a topic to bond over during an interview.