Being out of work is one of the most stressful times of ones life, and most people will inevitably have good days and not so good days. Having a variety of ways to cope and deal with these ups and downs will help you get back on track and keep you from a protracted search.
Have a close group you can call on.
The group you’re going to rely on most when you’re feeling down will likely include your immediate family and closest friends. These people will be the most supportive for you, however be aware of what’s happening with them, and don’t rely on the same person all the time.
Join forces with other job seekers.
Do you know of others who are also job searching? They could be from the same company as you, or you may know of them through your networking. Consider setting up a regular meeting with them, once or twice a week. The venue can be anywhere convenient like a coffee shop, restaurant, library or someone’s house. This will give you the opportunity to provide support to each other, swap good news, trade advice, and practice with each other for any upcoming events such as interviews or networking.
Join job seeker groups.
Many cities have groups dedicated to the job searcher that meet weekly or two-weekly. The format and agenda for each is likely to be different, and will probably include the opportunity to discuss some of the ups and downs you’re experiencing. If the sessions are run by a professional career coach or counselor, they too will be able to provide you with great advice in addition to the other participants, some of whom will undoubtedly have gone through the same issues you’re facing.