Staying Motivated in Your Job Search

Category: Tips and Advice Publish date: 06/01/2016

Keeping that motivation and interest as your job search progresses can be tough - here are our top tips for keeping you focused on your job search.

1. Have a plan. As with all good campaigns you need a plan, and searching for a job is a campaign. MyPlan allows you to create your own Personal Resettlement Plan (PRP) as well as produce checklists and track your progress in achieving your resettlement goals.

2. Set realistic goals. It can be hard to look for a job at the same time as doing your current role but by setting yourself realistic goals for each week/month, you can manage your resettlement and find that perfect opportunity.

3. Know what you are searching for. With all of the experience and skills you have, it can be difficult to know what you want to target. MyPlan has Career Assessment activities to help you identify your unique selling points. By feeling excited and passionate about your next career, you will stay motivated and interested. You can also discuss your career ideas with your Career Consultant or Employment Advisor.

4. Acknowledge your achievements. Singing your own praises can be a challenge for many but it is essential to take time to recognise your achievements and successes and think about how you can explain those to someone else, especially someone who is not from a Military background and who may not understand the terminology.

5. Prepare. This sounds obvious but you might be surprised at how many candidates don’t actually prepare for writing an application or attending an interview. Make sure you know who you are applying to and what they are asking for from you.

6. Keep perspective. As someone who has served in the Armed Forces, you have many transferrable skills which employers will value and recognise. Whether you are looking to change careers or keep on the same path as before, it is important to know your value (i.e. don’t over or under-sell yourself) and target opportunities that are appropriate.

7. Keep positive. This is possibly the hardest thing to do but it is so important. It’s possibly you will not be successful in every application, but every rejection is an opportunity to learn and progress. Get feedback where you can (please note: few employers provide feedback at application stage, feedback usually comes after interview), review your application and look at where you could make improvements. Talk to your Career Consultant about your CV and applications if you need to. Remember, we are here to help you!

We wish you the best of luck as you embark on your new career path!