In a tough economy, looking for a job can be discouraging. Especially if you’ve been looking for a long time, it starts to feel as if you’ll never find anything. After sending out hundreds of resumes and going to countless interviews with nothing to show for it, you start to ask yourself how you will explain the huge gap on your resume. It’s natural to wonder if you’ll be able to find anything and consider giving up. However, there’s no reason to get discouraged. Here are 5 ways to stay optimistic while looking for a job.

Stay on a Schedule

Even though you don’t have to get up early in the morning, it’s important to get up at a reasonable hour and set a routine. Don’t just lay around in bed all day. According to Forbes, it’s a good idea to set aside a few hours each day to get things done. During this time, keep the television off and try to stay off social media. Set a list of goals to complete each day, and use this time to work on them. Send out resumes. Follow up with promising opportunities. Make a list of things you want to accomplish, and try to check off as many as you can.

Try Networking

With so many jobs posted online, it’s easy to think your whole job search should be conducted over the Internet. However, if you’ve sent out a ton of resumes and still haven’t heard anything, it might be time to try networking. This could be “attending a fun industry meet-up, connecting with a contact over a cup of coffee or volunteering your services for a cause you’re passionate about.” All of these are great opportunities to connect with other people. Maybe you’ll make the connection that will lead to your next job.

Stay Healthy to Stay Optimistic

Although it can be tempting to spend all your time in front of your computer looking for a job, remember to get outside. Try going for a run or bike ride. Spend a half-hour doing yoga. These types of activities are relaxing and will break up the monotony of the job search. Also, avoid comfort eating or binge drinking. While it’s okay to have an occasional beer or candy bar, using these things for emotional reasons will cause more harm than good. Be sure to drink plenty of water, and if you need a snack, try fruits and vegetables.

Turn Your Job Search Into a Game

Games are fun. Most people enjoy playing them. According to the Muse, turning your job search into a game is a great way to stay focused on your job search and not get discouraged. Apply the same type of strategy as you would in a game to your job search. Set a serious of goals, and each time you achieve one, consider it a victory. This helps to change your perspective by shifting “something most people think is terribly un-fun into a spirited, strategic undertaking.

Get Help

Looking for a job is hard and is difficult to do alone. It’s okay to reach out to friends and family for help. Tell them about how hard it is and ask if they can help in any way. Reach out to former coworkers, they can become the contacts you need to find your next job. You might contact a professional career coach or an employment agency. These types of professionals have the expertise to help you in your job search.

Learn More About Staying Optimistic While Looking For a Job

If you’d like to learn more about how to stay positive while looking for a job, contact us. We’re a woman-owned employment agency that has been helping Hawaii residents find jobs since 1986 and we can help you! Browse our job listings on our website or learn more about the job search process here.