- Advertise Your Availability. Tell everyone you know or meet that you are looking for a job. You can't afford to be bashful. The more people who know you are seeking employment, the better your chances of getting a job. That means family, friends, relatives, neighbors, acquaintances, people you have worked with in the past, and people you meet. The more job seeds you sow, the better your chances of having one sprout. You'll be surprised at the number of leads you'll get by asking people about potential jobs, even those you talk to for the first time. Often a secretary or a manager you speak with on the phone will mention a company looking for people to hire. Sometimes a secretary will provide information that leads you to a potential employment opportunity. But you have to ask: "Do you know anyone in the construction business looking for an estimator? I'm currently looking for such a job." This kind of communication is called networking and is a proven way to find job leads.
- Avoid Self-Pity. Begin looking for a new job immediately. If you start feeling sorry for yourself and sit around waiting for the phone to ring, you'll waste valuable time. You should do something every day to find a new job. If you are rejected for a job you wanted, don't waste time blaming yourself about what you may or may not have done wrong. You don't know the company politics of the office and the turf battles that may have been taking place behind the scenes. Instead of negative "what if" self-criticism, concentrate on your campaign and the next interview.
- Maintain a Regular Schedule. This is important because it requires discipline on your part. That means you should be at your workplace desk or table at 8:30 or 9:00 every morning, as you would if you were still at the office, working until 4:30 or 5:00, with a break for lunch. Maintaining a regular schedule is psychologically important, because even if you have a bad day, you'll know you've made an effort and did something positive. Every day is a fresh start. Remember that job hunting is a difficult and tedious process that involves rejection. But the more negative responses you get, the better your chances of getting a positive reply and finding a job. Perseverance is essential.
- Stay Away from Alcohol. Enticing though it may be to have a drink in the afternoon, if it becomes a habit and one drink turns into two or more, alcohol can inhibit or destroy your motivation and your chances of getting a job. Alcohol can be a serious problem for some job hunters, and it can wreak havoc with both marriage and career.
Try to keep a positive attitude at all times - that's important. You will have your low days when you think you will never get a job. Then there will be days when you have a good interview and your spirits soar and all will seem right with the world. Job hunting requires hard work, effort, and consistency, and it is important to keep at it until you succeed.
Here are three vital rules to remember as you begin your job quest: Be yourself, do something every day, and believe in yourself. If you follow these three simple rules, success will ultimately seek you out.
