How did you remain positive while job hunting?

Hello all,

It is now 5.5mos since resigning from my job. I have experienced various emotions from negative to positive to no emotion. Yes U have had leads and a few offers. I am really trying to find a job that I can enjoy, no more tears before work. I have ignored my gut for too long. Please share your experiences, your feedback is greatly appreciated.
I was able to remain positive because I kept my old job throughout nursing school and until I found a nursing job that I wanted. I'm not sure how I would have remained positive otherwise, since bills would have been eating me alive.Maybe you can pick up a part or full time job outside of the field that would pay the bills in the interim? That might help you to maintain a positive attitude Good luck to you!

I job hunted for the last 8 months - finding a job 2 months after I resigned from my previous job (to which I only left because I moved away). My new position is not even what I am looking for - but it is a job and a paycheck. And my hope is that I can expand my horizons, as well as possibly dip into facets of my specialty. While I was job hunting (and I still am, because I still hope to find 'the job') - to stay positive I had to keep reminding myself that it is not that I am a bad candidate or undesirable... it is the economy. It is not that I cannot get a job, it is that there are none to be hand - and too much competition for the few that exist. I admit, it was really hard to keep my wits about me, so I tried to distract myself. I spent time away from the job boards reconnecting with friends on their days off. I decided to also use my time to do good for others, and take my mind out of my situation. I signed up to volunteer with homeless children, and donated platelets. Watching my bank account dwindle was tough, but that meant spending more meals at my parents - which meant increasing our quality time and spared my wallet.If you can, maybe consider being Nanny or a part-time job at someplace that has always brought you pleasure (like a bookstore, or ice cream shop). I think of it as a way to enjoy the summer, and make a little bit of money too.Best of luck!

I congratulate you on your mature attitude.I know about the 'tears before work'. I have done jobs where I couldn't sleep the night before, because the thought of going to them was so depressing.I moved to another state in Australia for work through a nursing agency. They were lovely when I met them, and said yes we will work around you and your lifestyle. But a few months later, when I told them I needed time off and less shifts for study (they knew my study came first), the manager got extremely nasty, sent me unbelievably rude and unprofessional emails. She wanted me to be on call to drop everything to go to work - I had to tell her three times in one day, no I already told you I don't do that (you think once would be enough!) Well she rang back & said this isn't working for you or for us, and basically sacked me, but all I felt was pure relief. I hated her so much after a while, I dreaded speaking to her.Now I am through another agency who are very understanding, but I am getting sick of on call and shiftwork, as the government here has cut funding for many permanent nursing jobs (you need like 10-20 years experience to get a perm job almost). So I decided to apply to do medical typing etc at home.Keep looking on all different job sites for work & have jobs emailed to you. Put your resume on the job sites to so employers can see it. Also, try to do something that relaxes you, I do pilates and yoga at home with DVDs because it's cheap! If you have money, go to the gym maybe or go for a walk (that's free).And try to look outside the scope of ward nursing - are there other, similar jobs you can do?Yes bills must be paid, but I have learned only recently that if you don't follow your heart, you will be miserable.Good luck for the future.

Thank-you all, for your positive responses, greatly appreciated.

I know how hard it is to be positive, I am looking for a job after graduating in December without success. You can't take it personally, just keep going. I remind myself that even though there's a huge lack of nursing jobs, I only need ONE. Even if the one I land is not the one I want, every job can teach you things, even the crappy ones. I've had some hellacious jobs in my life but I learned things like persistence and dealing with difficult people from them. Life has ups and downs, remember when you are down things will upswing, and when things are going well, prepare for possible downswings by cushioning yourself with more savings, education, skills, networking, etc.

It's really, really hard. I've been looking since I graduated 6 months ago. Things are finally starting to look promising for me, but there were some really dark, dark times when I was convinced I would never get work. I have two bachelor's degrees, and taking them out to just look at them brightens me up sometimes. I know you aren't a new grad, so that may not be so helpful to you. Also, when I think of how badly I want a job, I look at my 2 year old and remind myself that the downside of working will be a lot less time with her, especially if I have 3 12's in a row. That helps me a lot too.And honestly, sometimes I just have an all out pity fest. I stew, get it out of my system, and then get back to the job hunt, refreshed and renewed.