Applying for a job can be stressful
For job seekers, you can feel under pressure to be using all of your time working on ‘promoting’ yourself and communicating what you can offer to gain employment. However, it’s so much easier to stay in your pjs for the whole day and then feel horribly guilty for not having achieved much.
I have worked in Denmark for over 17 years AND been there where I applied for jobs in the early years with no response, and it changed my extrovert character into having a daily routine of watching TV and very little else! I want to share a few ways that helped me so I can hopefully help you refocus and get you back on track.
Where to start
Let’s focus on what you CAN achieve and not what you CAN’T. Don’t place yourself under pressure and here’s my top 4 tips in how to communicate positively and not worry that you are not doing enough. Take one day at a time and one action point.
One:
Get in the shower, get dressed and set yourself a target, say to work on your ‘About’ section on LinkedIn. What do you offer that others don’t? Finesse your skills and play around with words that really promote you. Don’t compare yourself to others, your skills and experience are unique. Ask previous work colleagues/friends how they would describe you?
Two:
Follow organisations across LinkedIn/Facebook/Instagram and comment positively? What can you learn through this time that will benefit you in the long term? What can you find out about organisations and how they communicate? What’s their DNA? It will be important to make notes if you want to apply there in the future.
Three:
What organisations accept unsolicited applications? Find one and prepare to wow them with what you can offer. Focus on what their needs are and how you can help them deliver their goals – it’s not about you but assisting them in delivering their mission.
Four:
Organisations are still hiring even in the summer, so don’t think you have to stop looking. It might take longer to process but focus on applying for 2-3 jobs a week – and if you only manage 1, then well done for getting that one completed. And if all you manage is to ‘follow’ a few organisations that best suit your values and are a great fit for you, you will be first in line to apply when they post.
I have said it many times but the job search is not for the faint-hearted. It takes resilience, patience and it’s a full-time job finding one. Reach out on LinkedIn, I know exactly how you feel and can guide you into your dream role.
BIO:
Leslea Petersen is a Brit married to a Viking who landed on Danish shores 17 years ago. Leslea is the CEO of English Job Denmark. With over 20 years’ communications experience in both the business & not-for-profit sectors, Leslea is passionate about coaching professionals & businesses in retaining international talent.
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