Surviving jobhunting

Jobhunting is far from being all puppies and rainbows. Especially if you're unemployed whilst doing it it's downright soul-destroying. So how do you survive it? How do you keep from going mental and coming out on the other side as a strong individual? Well, I don't actually have a magic potion to share, but here's what I try to implement in my case!

1. Grieve. Jobhunting is a brutal business, so give yourself some time (key work here being some!) to heal before getting back up and getting yourself out there. It's alright to feel a bit lost and sad because of this new reality. Sometimes you need to take a step back so you can take two steps forward. To gain momentum, like pushing a coiled spring downwards before releasing it.
2. Make a plan. Don't just go through the motions, instead take the time to draw up a plan of what you want to do first, then second, then third, etc. Start with tweaking your CV, then see what comes next. You can create a profile on several jobhunting websites, contact recruitment agencies directly and see if you can be one of their candidates, jobhunt for jobs online, etc.
3. Be organised. Keep track of what you're doing. I find that keeping a spreadsheet with all the jobs I've applied to on any given day will help keep track of my progress and monitor how well things are going. Don't deceive yourself saying you've applied to loads of things - be specific and know your numbers! If you do create that handy spreadsheet, try to keep it tidy and updated as much as possible. I separate my applications by website, so that I can easily see when was the last time I visited any of my regular places. This way I never stay away for too long and never miss any new jobs. I also take the time to colour code it to highlight the jobs that have rejected my application or the ones I'm currently chasing.
4. Make your own schedule. Having some routine is key to keeping your cool longterm. I get up every workday at 7am and find it does me a world of good as opposed to just sleeping in. Jobhunting is a serious business, so I try to face it like a pro! I do it Monday to Friday and a bit on Saturday mornings before starting off my well deserved weekend. I like stability, so having a sort of regular life whilst unemployed helps to keep my sanity close to intact. Find how to have a productive day and then stick to it on a regular basis.
5. Keep a diary. Everyday I make a list of everything I want to achieve that day. From making the bed and making a load of laundry to jobhunting, booking a dental appointment or chasing up on that interview I'm supposed to hear about soon. And then as the day goes by I make my way through that list, ticking everything I've done so far. This make sound a bit childish, but truth be told it makes a huge difference to me. Since I've started doing this I've never felt the days slowly dragging along again. It also keeps my laziness at bay by reminding me of what I still have to do that day.
6. Pamper yourself. Jobhunting is hard, so take a bit here and there to pamper yourself. Take yourself out to lunch once a week or take a 20 minute break with your book and a cup of tea. Heck, if you're ahead of your own schedule take a bit of the afternoon off and go to the cinema. And make sure to put it all on your diary-list-thingy. Look at those pampering moments and therapeutic breaks for your sanity and to reboost your ego. And it's always another tick!
7. Find a new project. I believe you should be serious about your jobhunting; do it a few hours everyday and keep a close eye on everything that's going on. That being said I don't think it doable to jobhunt for eight hours a day every single day. Not without going crazy within 72 hours or less. So with the time you have left in your day try to find a new project. Remember when you still had a job and kept postponing things because you didn't have the time? Well you can make the most of it now! I'm currently going through my cupboards and trying to maximise storage space in our flat, next I might get some crafts projects going, start on the Christmas batch of handmade presents.
8. Clock out. If you're serious about your jobhunting and do it regularly and methodically then there should be no reason for you to feel guilty for switching off your computer at 6pm (or whatever time you decide is best for you). The beauty of being serious about it during your work week is that you can enjoy your time "out of the office" guilt free. Because - to me at least! - there's nothing worse than when jobhunting takes over your life and you feel bad for having a nice life outside of it. When you feel guilty because you're not hooked to your computer looking for yet another role to apply to.
9. Stay positive. In the end it's just a numbers game. Do your best and the rest will follow. And in the meantime make the most of your "free" time. Make it count and believe something great is always just about to happen. Sooner or later it'll happen, so there's no need to drive yourself into despair until then!