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Looking for a
job in your 60s can feel similar to riding a wave. On one hand, you may welcome
the chance to hit the restart button on your career and gain a fresh sense of
purpose. On the other, landing your dream job isn’t always a smooth process,
and you may experience a few setbacks along the way.
Everyone’s
journey is unique, and it’s difficult to predict how long your job search will
last. But it’s important to remember that you aren’t alone and that the right
job will come along eventually.
Accepting this
truth isn’t always easy, but here are a few things you can try to help you
manage your happiness and well-being while you’re searching.
Go Small
Job searching
can become overwhelming at times, especially if you set out to do everything
required at once. Instead, start with smaller, more manageable goals that you
can tackle one at a time.
These goals should be realistic and focus on things that are within your full control, e.g., creating a compelling cover letter, meeting up with people from your network to open up new opportunities, or simply getting tips and advice on your CV so it’s the best it can be.
It’s easy to
get too focused on the outcome of your job search, which can quickly leave you
feeling impatient and frustrated if things don’t go to plan.
By adopting a
“stepping stone” approach, where you complete a series of small tasks one at a
time, you’ll hopefully feel more accomplished and confident, and more likely to
find the right role for you.
Stick to a Routine
Once you adopt
the smaller-goals approach, it can be useful to start following a daily routine
of positive habits. This can give you some direction and purpose, without which
it’s easy to become lost and unmotivated and fall into unhelpful behaviour
patterns, such as sleeping in late or eating unhealthily.
Not everyone
finds the same routine helpful, so it’s up to you to create one that works for
you. For example, if you’re a morning person, you may prefer to use your
mornings to send off job applications and dedicate your afternoons/evenings to
more relaxing activities, like walking the dog or spending time with family.
Spend Time Around Positive People
The company
you keep can have a significant impact on your mood and your general outlook on
life. Spending time around people who tend to look on the bright side of life
can help you feel more positive about your own circumstances. Unfortunately,
the reverse is also true.
Of course, it
may not be possible to completely cut negative people out of your life, but try
to maximise the time you spend around cheerful individuals and minimise the time
spent with those who have a tendency to dwell on the negatives. Chances are,
you’ll feel much more positive as a result.
Do Things You Love
Whilst it’s
important to stay focussed and build momentum in your job search, try to
remember that you’re only human, and downtime is important too.
You could
start by allocating to yourself some time each day to do something you enjoy –
whether that be getting stuck into a new novel, going round to a friend’s house
for dinner, or going to your favourite gym class.
A job search
is a journey, and the sooner that you embrace that journey and allow yourself a
good balance between work and play, the more manageable it can become. Linking
your job status to your sense of self-worth (which many people do), can make it
hard to be kind to yourself.
If this
describes you, then remind yourself that you do deserve regular breaks and that you are deserving of kindness – from yourself and from others. By
accepting this, you can start giving yourself more of what you need.
Practice Positive Affirmations
It’s not
uncommon for people to fall into negative thought patterns whilst looking for a
job – especially if an application is followed by a rejection or a long period
of silence. Some people tell themselves that they aren’t good enough or that
they will never get a job.
Remember though,
these are just thoughts, and they’re likely untrue.
Breaking away from self-deprecating thoughts can be tricky, but it’s not impossible. Adopting the practice of positive affirmations and building it into your daily routine is one of the best ways to rewire your brain.
Start by
telling yourself that you are good enough,
that you have a lot to offer and that the right job is out there waiting for
you – you just haven’t found it yet.
Some people
find it helpful to set aside 10 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes in the
evening to practice repeating positive affirmations until it starts to become
second nature.
The effects of positive affirmations have been scientifically proven and, it’s likely that the more you use them, the greater your belief in yourself will be.
Ask for Help If You Need It
If your job
search makes you feel particularly low and you’re struggling to cope, reach out
to someone – a friend, relative, or a professional – rather than trying to deal
with the issue alone.
Sometimes it can be beneficial to discuss your experiences with other job seekers in a similar position, as you may be able to swap tips and advice and offer each other a bit of moral support. If you think this might be helpful, you could try joining an online community where you can chat with other job seekers over 50.
Looking for a
job can be tough and can require a lot of stamina, so it’s completely normal to
experience feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or anger if things don’t turn out
like you’d hoped. However, it’s important not to let these feelings build up so
much that they overwhelm you.
It’s possible
that those around you may not know you’re struggling until you let them know,
and once you do, chances are you’ll move closer to getting the help that you
need.
These ideas may not work for everyone, but hopefully
you can use them as a helpful starting point when considering what will work
for you during your job search. Best of luck, and keep reminding yourself of
all the positive things you can bring!
Let’s Have a Conversation:
How does job hunting make you feel? Do you experience positive or negative emotions? What do you do to take your mind off of job searching? Do you have any additional tips on how to keep your spirits lifted when you’re looking for work? Please share them with our community!
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