Blog.

As Billy Ocean famously sang, ‘When the going gets tough, the tough get going.’

Well, the same is true for when the hiring process gets tough – you’ve got to keep going! That’s all very well, but how do you keep going when you’ve lost all motivation? The following tips will help. 

Take a step back

Before going any further, it’s a good idea to take a step back and take stock. Have you given yourself a realistic goal in the first place? Do you know what you’re looking for? As you get stuck into applications and interviews, it can be easy to lose sight of your original goal, which then affects motivation because you wade through the process aimlessly. Instead, get it all down on paper – start by writing your end goal and work backwards, breaking it down into manageable steps. Mark off your progress and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small – it’ll help keep the demotivation monster at bay. 

Don’t dwell – positivity is key

It’s easy to get sucked into the recruitment process and feel like your self-esteem is taking a knock at every setback. Confidence? What’s that again? The problem is – if you dwell on every negative situation that occurs the rest of your job search will inevitably suffer – you can say ‘goodbye’ to motivation for a start. But, challenging situations didn’t stop Richard Branson, did they? Look at where he is now. You can’t control the hiring process, but you can control your outlook – a bit of positivity and optimism goes a long way. So, go ahead and laugh in the face of demotivating thoughts, and always remember your self-worth! 

Develop yourself

Remember those setbacks we mentioned? Instead of giving yourself a hard time, learn from them. For example, if you haven’t been called back for the final stage of interviews, ask for constructive feedback so you can alter your approach next time. You’re in the hiring process because you want a job – of course…but it’s also an ideal opportunity for you to learn and develop yourself. We all like to feel as though we’re moving forward and knowing you’re learning will keep you motivated to continue on through the tough times. Remember – all experience is good experience! 

Look after yourself

Applications, preparation, interviews – it’s stressful stuff, especially when you want the job so badly! That’s why it’s more important than ever to look after yourself, so you’re physically and mentally prepared for whatever the process throws at you. That includes eating well, sleeping well, getting plenty of exercise, looking after your mental health and knowing when to take a break – it’s hardly breaking news, but it works. 

Surround yourself with the right people

Sometimes, we all need a pep talk. Surrounding yourself with the right people is a great way to pick yourself up and get that motivation ball rolling. Talk to friends and family who can be honest with you – not the friends and family who tell you what you want to hear (as lovely as they might be). And of course, the best people to help keep you motivated during the tough hiring process is recruiters (like us!). We’re experienced in not only helping candidates land their dream roles, but all the preparation that goes before it – that includes keeping you motivated so you can reach your career goals. 

When the going gets tough, keep going!