3 career mindsets to have when job hunting
By: Career Launch Africa
Tags: Job Hunting, Job Search, Career Advice, Mindset, Mindset Shift

“When you expect the best, you release a magnetic force in your mind which by a law of attraction tends to bring the best to you.” — Norman Vincent Peale

Job hunting can be an extreme sport. It takes so much time and energy, and can be super discouraging when you get rejections — yet, it’s essential to keep going in order to build the career you desire. By now, you know the tactical things you need to do before starting your job search: update your resume and LinkedIn profile, reach out to your networks to learn about job opportunities and make a list of the top companies or job titles you intend on searching for.

However, you may be overlooking the most powerful tool in your job search arsenal: your mindset.

Your mindset is an established set of attitudes you hold about your life and what you believe about yourself; it has the power to impact your success, and it plays a critical role in how you cope with and overcome challenges.

It’s vital to get clear on your thoughts, beliefs and attitudes, and ensure that they’ll set you up for a successful job hunt. Here are 3 mindsets that will get you there:

You have everything you need to be successful

Even when we meet all the qualifications required, there are times when we feel like we aren’t enough. Not good enough, not smart enough, not experienced enough, not resilient enough…the list is endless. However, rather than looking externally, look inward and focus on the strengths, skills, gifts and experiences you have today. How can you use those unique traits to refresh your resume and boost the story in your cover letter?

The best way to build a foundation of self-awareness is by beginning with your strengths. Self-awareness helps you be at peace with who you are and better manage your thoughts, beliefs, emotions and reactions. Self-awareness is the foundation on which you should build confidence because it separates the real from the perceived. If you truly understand what’s real, instead of believing false stories about yourself (like you’re not smart enough), you have a better chance at being confident and going after what you really want in life.

Understanding your strengths gives you a language for communicating what you naturally do best. The best part is, you already have these strengths inside you. You already have everything you need to be successful — and that starts with understanding your strengths, how they show up in your life, and how you can leverage them to build your skills. No certificate required.

2. Your job is to find a job

Whether you’re unemployed, underemployed or desire to leave an unfulfilling role, job hunting requires hard work and dedication. If you employ the drive and discipline you would in your dream job, you will be steps ahead. Wake up early, have a solid morning routine, dress for success, structure your job applications and ensure you work from somewhere where you can focus. Each week and even each day, write down your objectives — use SMART goals, just like you would at work.

As you do this, remember that while job hunting can be a low point, it can also be a transformational experience that launches you into empowerment. Just like the career you envision for yourself, the journey there can be a period of possibility, potential and destiny.

And in light of rejection, take it as a learning opportunity. You are not for every job, and every job is not for you but you will certainly eventually land on one that is. Opportunities abound, remember?

3. You will inevitably get what you want

With an inspired mindset, hard work and commitment, it’s impossible not to be successful. However, as you do this, be sure to manage your expectations. The truth is, it could take a while, especially in this economy. The problem is that we don’t always know when, where, how or what exactly it’s going to look like. But with hard work comes growth; in more ways than you can see in the moment. At the bare minimum, working hard makes you a harder worker. Life… is hard work. So get to work. Not because hard work guarantees success, but because success demands hard work. It may not always look like you wanted. It may not always be when you planned. It may not always be where you hoped. But, it will always be. Hard work pays off.

By shifting your mindset from fear to possibility, taking control of your personal narrative, and leveraging your unique strengths, you’ll start to build the confidence you need to apply for the jobs that interest you.

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