Unemployment can be defined as a phenomenon that takes place when an individual who is continuously looking for a job is unable to find one. Unemployment shows the health of the economy. Therefore it will rise and fall when the economic conditions are changing. For example, is the economy is falling, and the jobs are scarce, there will be an increase in the unemployment rate. On the other hand, when the economy is growing and the number of jobs increases, the unemployment is expected to fall.

According to the research on unemployment statistic made by experts from Myessaywriting.co.uk, the unemployment rate in the UK during the December-February 2017 period held at an almost 12-year low of 4.7%, with the employment rate staying at an all-time high of 74.6%, with 30.000 more people in work. There were 1.56 million people looking for a job during this period, with 45.000 less compared to the September-November period during the last year.

Although the statistics are promising and the economy shows signs of improvement in generating jobs, it is still hard to find a job, and many people lose the motivation they need to keep going and looking for the right job for them.

What is motivation?

Motivation is the desire to do things; it is what you need to reach your goals and dreams. Unfortunately, many of us cannot find motivation to achieve our goals because we are wasting too much energy and time on other parts of the process. The good news is, that according to researchers, we can influence our own levels of motivation through self-control and by learning how to power through the pain period.

Stay motivated during your job search

When you are looking for a job, you might feel excited and hopeful in the beginning. You are happy when you see the potential opportunities, but after a while, you may fall into a slump and lose the motivation and hope. Finding a job is not easy, and the process could even take months. You submit your resume to countless companies with no answer, you even go to interviews without getting the job and sometimes when it’s just you and another candidate the job is going to the other person. All these can demotivate anyone and make us think that there is something wrong with us.

No matter how hard it is, do not lose hope. Here is what you should do to stay motivated:

1. Constructive criticism

If you feel that you try everything but with no results, you might need some constructive criticism. The professor who believes in you, your best friend, the supportive former co-worker can help you with useful advice and information about how and what you should improve. Try to figure out where you are struggling (interviewing, resume formatting, etc.) and ask for help. They will be the ones to give you honest and specialized advice that you will feel more motivated to put into practice than some tips from the internet.

2. Write your career goals

‘Where do you see yourself in five years? ‘. No matter how annoying this question might be, now it’s a good time to answer it. Put on paper all your dreams and what you want to achieve professionally and personally. This will be your to-do list and will motivate you to check things off. Also, by seeing them on paper might give some ideas on how to connect them. No matter how random each goal might seem, it can shed light on new opportunities.

3. Take a break

The stress and desire to find a job will lead you on the dangerous path of looking for jobs just to find a job, even if it’s not the right one for you, making you lose your main objectives. When you find yourself in such a motivational slump, take a few days off. No resumes, no interview questions, no cover letters. Take a break, clear your mind and relax. This will restore your drive and alleviate the job-seeking frustration.

4. Start your day on a positive note

The way you start your day will shape out the rest of it. Get a good night rest and set the alarm so that you can take advantage of the high productivity levels you have in the morning. Get a healthy breakfast and do some exercise to prepare for the day ahead. Try to make a routine setting start times for job search sessions, and setting the time for breaks. You should also have a list of the goals for that day, which will offer you the structure you need to stay on track.

5. What are you looking for?

You should know exactly what job you want. Tailor your search according to your needs: what type of company, location, job requirements, etc. Write down a few points with what exactly you are looking for.

No matter how hard this process might seem, always remember that at some point in life each person has to go through this. Looking for a job can be demotivating, stressful and tiring, especially when you have bills piling up on your desk. Do not despair, keep focused and motivated, ask for help and the perfect job will land in your lap sooner than you expect.