How to Fix Negative Thinking in Your Job Search

The most brilliant job-search plan in the world won’t get you hired on its own.

You have to take action.

But before you can act, you must decide to act.

And that’s where things get tricky.

Your mind can work for you or against you. If you can harness your emotions and use them to propel you into action, you’ll get hired faster than someone who is paralyzed by negative emotions.

Positive thinking is fine. I like it. I do it. But thinking only takes you to the brink of action. To get results, action is required. Specifically, positive action.

Good news: You don’t have to think positively to act positively in your job search (or anywhere else).

Example: You can be in the worst mood imaginable, yet still drag your butt out the door, meet with a high-school friend for lunch, and walk away with a job lead.

Positive actions produce positive results, which lead to positive thinking … which leads to more positive action. This virtuous circle begins and ends with action.

Here are examples of positive actions you can take today, no matter what mood you’re in:

• Give a recommendation to one person in your Linkedin network.
  Recommendations are mini-testimonials that are essential to your online profile. And the best way to get them is to give them. Plan on giving at least two for every one you want in return.
• Help one person do their job better.
  This can be as simple as emailing them a link to an article you read online — why not this one? — or introducing them to someone in your network who could become their client, vendor, or partner. You must give help to get it.
• Write a letter to someone you want to meet.
  Fact: Unlike pro athletes, most executives don’t get a lot of fan mail. Why not send a nice, well-researched letter (not an email) to an influential person in an industry where you want to work? Ask for a 10-minute informational interview, in which you will call to ask how and why they got into their line of work. Then call.
• To benefit mind and body, combine physical and job-search activities.
  It’s hard to feel negative when you’re exercising. Example: Go to the gym with a friend and have a networking conversation. Or take a walk (with a notebook) and brainstorm ways to meet hiring managers at five of the 20 employers you want to work for.

To sum up: The cure for negative thinking is to stop thinking about yourself and start acting to benefit others. The best part is, even if you feel negative while taking positive action, you’ll be … taking positive action. And this can only bring you closer to your next job.

As William James said: “We do not sing because we are happy, we are happy because we sing.”

More good ideas in our Free Job Search Audio CD here.

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 8th, 2009 at 11:18 am and is filed under job search tips, life hacks. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.