You may love your job, and if so, you are blessed.

You may not love it, and if this is you, you are not alone.

While the economy is generally better than it was a few years ago, there are still many people who fear being laid off.

In addition to being a life coach, author and speaker, I also lead a recruiting company. My company works with employers and candidates every day, and we see, first hand, how people behave when they are looking for a new job. Most approach this process in the wrong ways.

Here are my top 6 suggestions for how to approach a job search:

Get going.  If you are currently unemployed, then it is your full-time job to do the work to get a job. Treat each and every day as critical in moving forward to achieving your goal.  Now is not the time to take a long vacation or work on projects around the house. Take action and stay positive along the way.

Set Goals.  Take this opportunity to set goals for the long and short term, focusing on life balance. Spiritual, physical, relationship, emotional, intellectual, and financial aspects of your life are six priority areas to look at. Write down the things you want to accomplish, and get to work. Set a health-related goal for the next 30 days, and then achieve it.  This will give you new energy and confidence.

Reach Out. Network as much as possible – each and every day. Read the book, “The Power of Who,” by Bob Beaudine. This book states that it is most likely that your next job will come to you from someone you know. The people who know and love you want you to succeed, and want to help you. Let them.

Spend time with Positive People.  Make an honest assessment of who you are hanging out with, and make sure these are people who bring you energy, instead of draining it. Commit to spending more time with people who lift your spirits and minimize your time with people who bring you down.

Make the Most of Social Media. Update your LinkedIn profile, and connect with individuals who could help you in your job search. Join groups that are focused on your profession. Make your time on social media be intentional and with purpose and avoid mindlessly surfing Facebook. Your time is precious.

Find an Accountability Partner. This will be a journey, and not one that you should take alone. Seek out a partner that will be instrumental in keeping the focus on achieving goals, and maintaining a positive attitude.

If you’ll do each of the six things above, I can guarantee that your job-hunting process will go more smoothly, and you’ll be more likely to land that perfect next position.

Stay optimistic, and know that the best is yet to come!

Cheers,

Coach Brett Blair