Lost Your Job Search Focus 5 Ways to Regain It

Lost Your Job Search Focus 5 Ways to Regain ItLost Your Job Search Focus 5 Ways to Regain It4Lets face it- whether you are a full-timer or a freelancer, job searches are stressful. Depending on how long it takes you to land the position or contract gigs that youre looking for, you might be worried about dwindling finances, and the competition for desirable opportunities can be fierce. Trying to regain job search focus in the face of stress can be intimidating.With all of this pressure and work involved in the day-to-day happenings of a job search, its easy for job seekers to become distracted and lose focus.Here are some tips to help you regain job search focus and re-channel your energies when you have become sidetracked1. Make a daily plan.Sometimes regaining focus can be as simple as getting organized. You might feel overwhelmed during your job hunt because you havent created any systematic way to go about it.See your job search as a job in itself, and design some guidelines and b oundaries around it to help shape your day and ensure that you hit your goals without burning out.For example, if youre currently unemployed or are short on contract work, you might lay out a schedule for yourself that involves exercising in the morning, applying to 2-3 jobs in the afternoon, and networking or socializing in the evening.Employed job seekers might block off a few hours before going to the office to research opportunities, exercise during their lunch hour on their day job, and send out one job application per evening.2. Take a walk.Conducting a job search can be intense with the need to juggle communication with recruiters, researchjobs and companies, participate in interviews, and handle salary or contract-fee negotiation on top of your other responsibilities on any given day.When you feel frazzled, get up from your desk and go for a walk to clear your head and catch a breather.3. Connect with a mentor.Professional success is not a one-person job, which is why your n etwork- and particularly your mentors- are so important. A mentor is someone who can help guide you through different challenges in your career, including providing advice about your job search.When you feel stuck, dont suffer alone- reach out and ask your mentor for help, or find someone in your professional network you trust who you can turn to for fresh insights.4. Start a mindfulness practice.Stressful times in our lives can be managed mora effectively by becoming more mindful. Mindfulness practices like meditation or simply becoming more focused and aware of what youre thinking about and doing rather than going on auto-pilot can help you keep your job search in perspective.Mindfulness exercises like journaling or creative visualization can also help you manage anxiety that you may feel around your job search.5. Take a break.If youve tried the tips above yet still are having trouble findingenthusiasm in your job search, it may be time to take a pause from it. You want your attit ude and energy level during the search process to reflect passion and commitment for your career and industry- anything less is just not going to cut it with recruiters and hiring managers, whether for staff or freelance positions.Take a week or two off- or longer if necessary- from your active job search. Do things you enjoy during this time, and dont pressure yourself to research positions, schedule interviews, or make progress toward the goal of landing new opportunities. Taking a break from the intensity and demands of looking for work can help you return to your job search with renewed commitment to reach your career goals.When you dont get the results you want from your job search right away, it can shake your confidence and damage relationships, particularly if others are depending on your income. Dont wait until you feel stressed out or lose your focus on your job search- be proactive, and challenge yourself to try some of these strategies today.Readers, how to you maintain or regain job search focus? What tricks have worked for you? Share your tips with us below