Just because summer tans have faded and suitcases have resumed their idle resting positions back in your attic, it doesn’t mean your mental vacation afterglow needs to subside.
In a recent Monster poll, 43 percent of respondents in North America said they’re more likely to look for a new job after returning home from a vacation. And even for those who don’t feel this way, there are several methods for channeling that mindset one or two weeks or months after getting back to the office.
[See: The 8 Stages of a Winning Job Search.]
You know that feeling when you’re on a beach or checking out an incredible museum in another country, that aha moment when you realize how much you don’t miss your job, boss and company, and that you’re ready to make a change as soon as you get home? Yes, that mindset. Here’s how to keep it alive in the months between summer and winter vacations.
Simplify. Oftentimes people talk themselves out of looking for a new job by convincing themselves that it takes too much time, too much effort or that, nah, there’s no way they can make the leap into something new. Silence that voice! What’s worth working hard for is worth achieving, but that doesn’t mean you have to do it all at once. Instead, break things down into bite-sized steps. If you’ve already figured out what you truly want to do, then target employers and tailor your resume for the skill set required for that role. And if you don’t have the skill set, figure out how to get it, whether that means volunteering or shadowing someone from your alma mater. Don’t allow yourself to get overwhelmed — you can certainly make change happen if you unclutter your mind of negative thoughts and keep each step simple.
Figure out exactly what you’re looking for. Let’s say you know that returning to the office gives you that pit-in-the-stomach feeling — the one telling you that you want — scratch that, need — to get out, but don’t yet know what you’re running towards. Channel that vacation mentality (yes, go ahead and sport a bathing suit and beach hat for an afternoon at home indoors if you need to — don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone). Do what you need to do to get into that mindset and jot things down in your phone or on paper. Take a look at multiple factors: What do you enjoy doing in your current job? What do you loathe and what do you want in something new? Keep it to pie in the sky, broad strokes goals and use those to create a more detailed action plan.
[See: 25 Awesome Business Jobs for 2016.]
Stay focused. It’s easy to decide to make a change while you’re on vacation. But then just like that, you return home and get immersed into errands, routines and schedules, and your goal slowly gets brushed aside until that next vacation when you find yourself back where you started. Keep the dream alive and well — put yourself on a daily regimen of networking, applying to jobs and more. It’s not unlike planning a vacation, actually. Some people may find all the moving parts and coordination overwhelming, but you just have to make it a part of your daily routine. You can bet it will be well worth the time in the end.
Keep it light. When you’re away, things that may have bothered you at home seem to be no big deal, right? Instead of looking at your job search as an arduous journey, keep it light and similar to the tone of vacation. It’s loose, it’s not formal or stoic, it’s — dare I say — even playful. Have fun attending networking events, go ahead and feel free to connect with new contacts over favorite vacation spots or recipes. Remember that these are first and foremost simple conversations with like-minded individuals, so enjoy them! The more relaxed you’ll feel, the more confidence you’ll radiate and the more successful you’ll be in getting closer to your goal.
Take a break. Whether you’re immersed in the daily tasks of your job or the many steps of the job search, you need to avoid burn out. And it may seem contradictory, but you could actually be more productive while you’re giving your mind a break. Think about it: You may have reached that aha moment for a new career path or even an entrepreneurial venture like an app no one else has thought of while relaxing on vacation. Many times during these breaks you will discover breakthroughs. Schedule downtime the same way you’re scheduling activities to land that new job.
[See: 10 Ways Social Media Can Help You Land a Job.]
Plan for your new job similarly to how you planned for your vacation. If you bought a few new outfits for your vacation, you’re not alone. Why not start buying a few new interview suits to feel polished and fresh? If you’re targeting employers with similar cultures, you may feel more comfortable if you buy a few new outfits that fit in or even one or two decorative things for your new office. Instead of dreading it, celebrate it! You’re in the process of embarking on a new journey, and something as basic as buying a new interview suit can help you look, and feel, the part.
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How to Channel That Post-Vacation Mindset for Your Long-Term Job Search originally appeared on usnews.com
