However, if you've just embarked on the job hunt - as have many in the UAE with the current employment squeeze - or you're considering taking the plunge but don't know whether to risk it. It is important to remember that while stressful at the time, the job hunt should result in attaining something that makes you happy. Therefore, instead of facing this process with dread, it is important to try and look at it positively.
Staying ahead ofthe competition
Searching for a job can be difficult and competitive at the best of times, but the current economic climate has made it that much harder. It is imperative that you learn how to market yourself effectively in order to stand out from the many other job hunters who are out there vying for the same position.
The positive news is that the job market is starting to recover, so it is comparatively easier to find a job this year when compared to last year. Hanan Nagi, human resources specialist and executive coach at Transform Coaching, says that while the market is still affected by the downturn, a few business sectors are now hiring again. "We can see an improvement in the number of vacancies published this year compared to 2009, yet it is obvious that the market, both locally and globally, is still in the early stage of recovery."
Hanan says that in the current job market, job hunting needs creativity and thinking out of the box (See Make a list!). Recruitment agencies have their benefits, says Hanan, so it's worth registering with as many as you can. However, it's important not to solely rely on this method.
She also suggests you ensure you tell all your friends to keep an eye out for you and to check whether their organisations are hiring. Networking and speaking to the key people within an organisation is crucial. "Don't just send your CV out. Contact your contacts in person and explain to them who you really are as a professional. Tell them about what kind of job you are looking for and how you can add value. They then become your champions so when they recommend you to their HR managers, they don't just pass a CV over — they can explain why you're such a catch," she says.
It is also extremely important to make sure that your CV is up to scratch. Employers don't have the time to read long cover letters or CVs, says Hanan. You should therefore aim to catch the reader's attention in the first ten seconds. "Start with your achievements and qualifications and the type of jobs you are looking for so you get the reader engaged, who will then decide to invest the time to go through your CV in detail.
Remember to focus on achievements and not just your job role. For example say, ‘As a sales manager I have succeeded in increasing the annual sales revenue by 15 per cent', instead of, ‘Responsible for the sales plan and activities'."
Staying motivated
Job hunting can be a long, drawn out process that lasts for months, while in the case of higher management positions, it can take up to a year. It is therefore easy to become distracted, disillusioned and bored with the process, which will hinder your chances of finding that dream job. "I often discuss how to stay motivated while job hunting with a good friend of mine, business coach Dariush Soudi," says Dave Crane, life designer, motivational trainer, speaker and hypnotist. "He says that when job hunting you should picture your favourite boss at your favourite company and you doing the things that you enjoy most every single day. Then seek to find that company. Instead of just sending your CV, be strategic. Find out what they would like in an ideal candidate and who would be the decision maker within that company. Contact them directly. You will see people hire superstars and often even create roles for them when there hasn't been a vacancy in the first place."
Crane says that the job hunting process is about discipline and it is therefore imperative you set yourself goals in order to stay motivated. "You have to run yourself as an employment agency looking after just one client — you. Become a dedicated salesperson for your own resume and keep sending them out day after day until something bites and keep going beyond that job offer," he advises. "If you are in demand, it will affect the employer who has to make it worth your while to join them. The best rule of thumb is to send out three tailored CVs a day and aim for quality not quantity. Make them unique and write the covering letter from the heart. You will probably get one go at this for each client. If the companies you're applying to are advertising, they will have lots of options available so send your CV in such a way that grabs the reader's attention," says Crane.
Once you've bagged that interview, it's crucial to prepare yourself as much as possible. Crane advises you start preparing yourself mentally before a job interview by having two statements in mind. The first, he explains, is the question, ‘What do you think is the worst thing that could happen?' "You may get good results, you may get bad ones, but at some point you will also get a job," he says. "The second statement is, ‘Rejection is not getting something you didn't have in the first place anyway.' With this in mind you are on the way already."
Crane also suggests that you practise role playing before heading for that big interview. "Practise makes perfect. Put yourself in the mind of the employer. Be positive and stay positive. Don't knock your past employers. Be super professional. Show genuine interest in the company and ask lots of questions and make sure they're relevant. Above all, and most importantly, ask them if they have any reservations about you. If you do, this will be your chance to overcome them and show them you are the best staff they are ever likely to employ," he says.
Staying on topof stress
Job hunting is stressful for a number of reasons. Feelings of uncertainty and fear of the ‘unknown' all contribute to this stress in addition to being frustrated and facing possible rejections. "Who you are, what you are good at, and how you will manage this pursuit of job hunting is all being questioned," says Dr Saliha Afridi, clinical psychologist at the Human Relations Institute, Dubai.
"Alongside the job search and the unknown factors that can result in stress, individuals have known stressors such as financial pressures and personal stress. The job seeker's personal relationships may also become more strained due to their stress level being high or not having enough emotional support." Job hunting for a prolonged period of time can erode your psychological health, so it is imperative that you try and take some steps to stay in good emotional shape while looking for your new dream position.
Dr Afridi says that the best way to keep morale and self-esteem high while job hunting is to set goals for each day. "These goals might be to update your wardrobe, practise interview skills, get feedback from someone in your industry on your CV, or send it out to a number of companies.
"When you accomplish your goals, reward yourself in some way. Whether it's taking a day off the search to go on a picnic with your family or going for a night out with friends, human behaviour responds to reinforcement. If you or the people in your life reinforce your behaviour, you are more likely to continue it," she advises.
To ‘stress bust' while job hunting, it is important to do what relaxes you and makes you feel more balanced. Dr Saliha says that might be reading novels for one person and walking on the beach for another, but the point is to engage in active and healthy stress management, rather than passive stress management such as drinking, smoking and zoning out in front of the television for hours.
"It's also important to surround yourself with positive people, images and words," she says. "Create a vision board or a map of what you want your life to look like. Keep it in a prominent place in your home. Be conscious and very selective of the kinds of energy you are letting into your life."
Make a list!
Executive coach Hanan Nagi suggests job hunters follow this process when they set out to find new work opportunities:
1. List your skills in general no matter how trivial they may seem i.e. speed typing, attention to detail, musical ear, bilingual, knowledge in art or history and so on.
2. List your passions — anything you enjoy doing and that doesn't feel like work, i.e. surfing the internet, writing or planning events.
3. List all your previous experiences and all the jobs you held before and think about those you succeeded at.
4. Now think outside of the box. Looking at your skills, passions and experiences, what is it that makes you different and unique in your job field? What other jobs can you apply for? If not within a company, how can you earn money doing it as a freelancer or working from home? Do you need partners or other experts to turn this into a proper business? Who do you know who can help you?
5. Now list your top three ideas and start networking, approaching the right people, organisations and businesses explaining to them why you are different and how you can add value to them. Remember it is about what is in it for them before you!
