As candidates navigate the job search, they can easily become frustrated and begin focusing too much on what is not going right. However, as a job seeker, you have many things to be grateful for and many ways of demonstrating your gratitude during your search.
How to Be Grateful
- Recognize that your job search is an opportunity to learn new things and meet new people. Not everyone you encounter will be able to help you land a new role, but expanding your network and knowledge base is valuable regardless.
- Remember that learning more about a role or company will help you be more successful when you join the organization.
- Observe (and celebrate) your increased level of comfort in talking about yourself in a concise and compelling way.
- Appreciate that the job search is building your resiliency and adaptability, especially when you receive critical feedback or encounter a setback or rejection.
How to Demonstrate Your Gratitude
- Send follow-up emails to thank your contacts for their time and insights or to update them on your progress.
- Be the connector; offer to make introductions. Think about the people you could help by connecting them with someone else in your network.
- Refer others to new job opportunities, or share job postings with your LinkedIn network.
- Take the call and share your wisdom with a graduate of your college or someone who worked at one of your previous employers.
- Find joy in the “silver linings” by keeping a journal of all the positive things that happen in your search.
Gratitude can also come into play at work:
- Make sure to thank your boss and coworkers for the opportunity and for their support if you decide to leave the organization; build bridges for the future.
- Elaborate on why you appreciate their support after a new experience; reveal your takeaway or the benefit you gained from it.
- Enhance relationships with your colleagues and direct reports; show them that they matter to you in a meaningful and substantive way.
Finally, both require a lot of hard work, patience, and resilience, so reframing your mind-set is a good way to avoid burnout and maintain your energy and drive.
mbaMission’s Career Coaches are happy to explore with you any career-related topics—including selecting potential career paths, crafting your professional narrative, and maximizing the effectiveness of your job search—during a complimentary, 30-minute career consultation. Sign up for your free session today!
