It’s hard to get excited about our careers sometimes. Especially when bad news surrounds us. Between high unemployment, low morale, and reduced compensation, who can blame you for not wanting to jump out of bed energized and ready to start each day?

Maybe what you need is a new game to play. Something that gets you excited again. Whether it’s a new job or a new way of doing something in your present position, a new game (or goal) gives you something to look forward to. Plus, you will no longer be “waiting” for something to happen in your career; instead, you will be making something happen.

So How You Can You Create A New Game? Follow These Steps:

1. Decide To Play A Game

The game cannot begin unless you commit to it. The ball cannot be thrown to you unless you are on the field to catch it. Maybe you want to know that you will win first before you play. Or, that every moment will be worthwhile. Guess what? You will not get this guarantee up front. The miracles in our career happen when we say “yes” and jump in. (Mistakes and all.)

There are a million reasons not to play now. (Fear, money, uncertainly, etc.) But there are a million and one reasons why you should not wait anymore.

2. Start Playing

Are you in one of these two places? You either have no idea what’s next for you in your career, or you do know and haven’t done anything about it yet. Either way it doesn’t matter. It’s time to get started. Many people fail because they never begin.

Start small. Small steps increase your confidence and lead to completing other small steps. Small steps on a regular basis are more effective than larger steps taken inconsistently. Slow and steady always wins the race.

3. Create An Official Game Plan

Once you begin, the momentum begins too. But without a plan you are just playing for fun. Your career is important and it means a lot. A plan adds organization to the game because it details specific actions and steps to help you win.

A plan can be formal and long, or uncomplicated and short. Here’s how to create one. Take your career goal and break it into smaller pieces. Get out your calendar and write down the specific small pieces you will do and when you will do them. Look at your calendar everyday. Look at your game plan everyday. Tweak and make changes as you go along. Use your game plan to motivate you. After all, your game’s underlying goal is for you to live into your greatness.

4. Keep Playing

There may be days when you do not feel like playing. Maybe you got hurt or are giving yourself a hard time over your last performance. Keep playing anyway. The championship goes to those who keep playing even when they do not feel like it. It’s ok to take a break. It’s not ok to take yourself out of the game completely.

5. Play To Win

You got to be in it to win it. “Someday I’ll play.” Let that someday be now.

Going Christmas shopping is usually better after Thanksgiving. Going skiing is usually better in the winter after a good snow has fallen. Going hunting for beautiful flowers is usually better in the spring. And some argue that searching for a job is usually better in the summer.

Never heard of that? Well, you’re not alone. You, like most people, probably feel that there’s no right season to find a job. However, some experts beg to differ, believing that the down time many companies experience in the summer time offers a perfect opportunity to slide on in. While this myth has yet to be proven, if you happen to be searching in these summer months, there are some tips you can take advantage of to make your search easier.

Use Summer Family Events to Your Advantage

Summer is the time that people love to get out and enjoy each other’s company, so it’s a good idea to use this to your advantage by getting out and spending time with them. For instance, if your cousin is having a beautiful summer wedding, you can attend for support, and also get in a little networking. Or if there is a family barbeque that you don’t want to miss, don’t just eat the hamburgers and hot dogs, also get out there and meet some friends of the family. You never know, you might just find your next big opportunity this way.

Spend More Time at Networking Events

As mentioned previously, summer is the time that people like to get out. Take advantage of this by getting out to various events in your community. There are likely to be several networking organizations that will offer events for the public to enjoy. For instance, there may be outdoor wine tastings, free concerts, and more. These events offer the perfect opportunity to meet with individuals who work for prominent companies in the area. Of course, if you attend these fun, summertime events, be careful to watch your alcohol intake. You don’t want a wonderful networking opportunity to turn into the most embarrassing and devastating moment in your job search.

Don’t Give Up

During the summer, instead of feeling encouraged during your job search, you may actually feel a bit discouraged due to the difficulties you may run into trying to reach the right people. You have to remember that many employees – especially those in higher positions – may be taking their vacations during the summer while their children are out of school. This means the person you’re looking to connect with may be out of the office more than in. Don’t let this discourage you, though. Instead, be persistent (not annoying) until you can reach the person you’re looking for. This persistence may help you slide past the competition that’s waiting around for people to get back from vacation.

Since it has not been proven that summer is a better time to conduct a job search, it’s good to treat this season like the others. By working hard and persisting as you normally would, you are sure to find that job you want.

The dreaded job interview. No matter your resume and talents if you mess this up you won?t get that job. In today’s tough economy you need every possible edge. As authors of the new book, I Hate People! Kick Loose from the Overbearing and Underhanded Jerks at Work and Get What you Want Out of Your Job, we see it as a simple equation: You want to be liked ? not hated.

Here are ten simple things to do that will dramatically increase your chances: from wearing the right expression, to knowing what not to say, to never ever breaking a sweat.

1. Don?t be a Smiley Face

Excessive smiling in a job interview is seen for what it is ?nervousness and a lack of confidence. A Smiley Face exudes phoniness, which will quickly be picked up by the interviewer. Instead be thoughtful and pleasant. Smile when there?s something to smile about. Do a practice run in front of a mirror or friend.

2. Don?t be a Know-It-None

Your job is to be knowledgeable about the company for which you?re interviewing. Random facts about last night?s episode of Dancing With The Stars episode or your favorite blog will not get you the job. Never feel you have to fill an interview with small talk. Find ways to talk about serious subjects related to the industry or company. Pockets of silence are better than padding an interview with random babble.

3. Don?t Sweat

You can lose a job by wearing an undershirt or simply a little too much clothing. Sweaty palms or beads on your forehead will not impress. You are not applying to be a personal trainer. Sweat will be seen as a sign of weakness and nervousness. Do a practice run with your job interview outfit in front of friends. The job interview is one place you definitely don?t want to be hot.

4. Put down that Stop Sign

Interviewers are seeking candidates eager to take on challenging projects and jobs. Hesitance and a nay saying mentality will be as visible as a red tie ? and seen as a negative. Practice saying ?yes ? to questions about your interest in tasks and work that might normally give you pause.

5. Don?t be a Sheeple

Asking the location of the lunchroom or meeting room will clue the interviewer into your lack of preparation and initiative. Prepare. Don?t ask questions about routine elements or functions of a company: where stuff is, the size of your cube and company policy on coffee breaks.

6. Don?t be a Liar Liar

Studies show that employees lie frequently in the workplace. Lying won?t get you one. In a job interview even a slight exaggeration is lying. Don?t. Never stretch your resume or embellish accomplishments. There?s a difference between speaking with a measured confidence and engaging in BS. One lie can ruin your entire interview, and the skilled interviewer will spot the lie and show you the door.

7. Don?t Be a Bad Comedian

Humor tends to be very subjective and while it may be tempting to lead your interview with a joke you?ve got to be careful about your material. You probably will know nothing about the sensibilities of your interviewer, let alone what makes them laugh. On the other hand, nothing disarms the tension of a job interview like a little laughter, so you can probably score at least a courtesy chuckle mentioning that it?s ?perfect weather for a job interview!?

8. Don?t Be High Maintenance

If you start talking about the ideal office temperature, the perfect chair for your tricky back, and how the water cooler needs to be filled with imported mineral water, chances are you?ll be shown a polite smile and the door, regardless of your qualifications. Nobody hiring today is going to be looking for someone who?s going to be finicky about their workspace.

9. Don?t Be A Minute Man

At every job interview, the prospective hire is given the chance to ask questions. Make yours intelligent, to the point and watch the person across the desk for visual cues whether you?ve asked enough. Ask too many questions about off-target matters and you?ll be thought of as a Minute Man, destined to waste the company?s resources with insignificant and time-wasting matters.

10. Don?t Be A Switchblade

Normally the Switchblade is thought of a backstabber, often taking credit for someone else?s work. In an interview setting, the Switchblade can?t help but ?trash talk? his former employer. If you make it seem like your former workplace was hell on Earth, the person interviewing you might be tempted to call them to find out who was the real devil.

?2009 Jonathan Littman and Marc Hershon, authors of I Hate People!: Kick Loose from the Overbearing and Underhanded Jerks at Work and Get What You Want Out of Your Job

Author Bios
Jonathan Littman, is the author of I Hate People! and numerous acclaimed works of nonfiction, including The Fugitive Game, The Watchman, and The Beautiful Game. He is also the coauthor of IDEO’s The Art of Innovation and The Ten Faces of Innovation. He is a contributing editor for Playboy and a columnist for Yahoo! Sports.

Marc Hershon is the coauthor of I Hate People! and a branding expert who helped to create the names for the BlackBerry, Swiffer, n?vi, and many other influential products. He is also a comedy veteran who has worked closely, with Dana Carvey, Bill Maher, and Robin Williams.

For more information please visit www.IHatePeople.biz

Federal, state, and local governments are all expected to increase spending on technology over the next five years, creating jobs across a wide range of industries and government agencies, according to a series of new reports.

The short-term outlook is not as bright, though. Although a small number of corporate chief information officers expect to be hiring this quarter, according to one study, many are wrestling with flat or falling IT budgets and trying to cut costs.

Driven by the Obama administration’s interest in healthcare, cybersecurity, and better interagency communication, the Federal government is expected to boost spending on information technology to $90.3 billion, up 3.5 percent by 2014.

State and local governments, meanwhile, are expected to boost spending by 3.9 percent to $60.1 billion by 2014.

Chief areas of interest for the federal government are healthcare, cybersecurity, energy and government transparency, according to Input, a consultant in Arlington, Virginia, that issued the reports.

Cloud computing initiatives in particular stand to grow as U.S. government agencies are forging ahead with plans to adopt cloud services or build their own.

States too are interested in healthcare, but are also looking at technology for education, public safety, social services and transportation, Input said.

Most corporate chief information officers — 85 percent — don’t plan to hire this quarter and 6 percent said they will cut back, according to a survey developed by Robert Half Technology, a recruiter in Menlo Park, California, for 1,400 CIOs at companies of at least 100 employees.

Eight percent of the CIOs told Robert Half they are hiring, however, and nearly three quarters are looking for people who know network administration. Other skills in demand are Windows server administration and desktop support. Jobs are most likely to be found in transportation, communications and utilities, followed by professional services and finance, insurance, and real estate.

A second survey of 202 North American IT managers by Computer Economics found that nearly half plan to cut jobs this year and around a quarter are hiring.

The IT job market does appear to be doing better than the job market as a whole. According to the Labor Department’s most recent monthly employment report, for May, jobs were still being cut faster than they were being created.

There are a number of ways that you can acquire the job you want. You can go the traditional route of finding an ad and applying for the job, or going through the temp agency where you can get your feet wet in certain fields.

But another great way to get a job is through networking. Whether you have a family member who can make recommendations for you, or you join an organization where you get inside tips on companies, meeting the right people help you get you the job you want. Let’s look at some ways you can make networking work for you.

Talk to Your Friends and Family

If you’re really looking to find work and the want ads haven’t been very good to you then you may want to start networking with people that you trust the most: your friends and family. Not only can they surprise you with the information they know, they have your best interest at heart, which is always a plus.

Since your relationship with them is more likely to be casual, you can simply ask if they know of any job leads or people that you can link with for opportunities, without having to worry about being professional. You may just find that by networking close to home, you can find your next job lead in no time.

Join Clubs, Organizations or Advisory Boards

Making strides in a local or national club is another route that you can take to network your way to a great job. For instance, if you’re in the IT field, you might want to join The Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP) to make connections and learn the ins and outs of your field. And if you career choice is accounting, you might want to join the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

If you’re already a professional in your field and are looking for new opportunities, you can always join the advisory board of one of your local organizations. For instance, if you’re working in the field of communication and want to raise your stakes as a professional, you can vie for a spot on the advisory board of Girl Scouts of America where you will be able to show your community service efforts and meet important people at the same time.

Try Online Networking

A newer form of networking that has proven to be successful in acquiring employment is online social networking. Whether you’re participating in fun sites like Myspace and Facebook, or professional sites like LinkedIn, you will find that many recruiters are locating candidates through this online vehicle. It’s good to research sites that recruiters visit most, check out blogs, and learn the culture before diving in. That way, if you set up a website profile or participate on message boards, you will be able to make the best first impression possible every time.

Networking is a great way to create new opportunities in your field. So conduct your research, make your connections, and get those opportunities started. In no time at all, you’ll see that your efforts will begin to pay off.

Possibly one of the largest mistakes that an executive could make when searching for a job is conducting the job search as if he were a manager. Once you reach the level of an executive, you have entered a new world and have to treat your job search as such. This means taking different avenues and utilizing more cutting-edge techniques.

If you’re just stepping into this new world as an executive and want to know how to search for a job the right way, don’t just sit there filled with uncertainty. Instead, you can take advantage of these tips to search for jobs the right way.

Start with Networking

Statistics show that over 80 percent of executive jobs are filled through some type of networking. This is unlike many lower-level jobs that can easily be pursued and filled via online applications. Through social clubs, lunch meetings, and other professional avenues, you could easily run into the right person who knows the president of the right company who is looking for an executive. So never forget the value of networking as you look for your first or next executive job. If you do, you might just be cutting yourself out of a lot of great opportunities.

Make the Most of a LinkedIn Account

Because LinkedIn is the #1 job search/networking site on the Internet, you can benefit greatly from setting up an account and making your home there. However, if you’re going to set up the account, it’s important that you make the most of it. Many executives use their profile as a way to simply duplicate their resume. How-ever, by doing this, you are cutting short the many benefits of the site.

Through your profile, you have an opportunity to not just highlight your professional and educational background, as well as your accomplishments; you also have the opportunity to make connections with professionals you have a great rapport with. As you make these connections, you can ask for professional recommendations. By securing recommendations from the right people, you can make your LinkedIn account even more impressive than the resume you submit to companies. This is definitely something you don’t want to take for granted.

Protect Your Name and Reputation as an Executive

When you reach the level of an executive, you almost become a celebrity who has to be “on” more often than not. This means, it is more important than ever that you maintain a stellar reputation at all times, as this could affect your job search - and ultimately, your ability to secure a position.

In the Internet world, this means avoid having the Myspace page with graphics and pictures of your fun nights out. At this stage in your career, you will definitely be judged your actions, as well as the company you keep, so handle your job search process with the same care that you would run your organization.

Being an executive carries with it a great deal of responsibility, which undoubtedly carries over into your job search. So as you look for employment, take your reputation into consideration at all times. It could make or break your ability to secure a great position.

You?re a manager. Why would you want to be on Facebook with a bunch of college kids?

Simple?there?s 100 Million people on Facebook now, up from 25 Million a year ago. There?s only 15 million college students. Who do you think everyone else is?

The highest growing segment of Facebook is the over 35 crowd?the hiring managers you want to network with and meet.

But you network on LinkedIN? Great LinkedIN is also a great place for job seekers to network?.but the numbers are 1/3 of Facebook. Almost overnight, Facebook has grown to be the 6th most trafficked site on the internet, and the number one site to search for people.

Let?s see?you?re looking for a career change, right? And Facebook is the top site to find people?.hmmm. How can you afford NOT to be on Facebook?

But Facebook is very different than other social networks. Facebook is about groups and communicating within groups. You?ll have fewer people in your Facebook network than in LinkedIN. Yet, you can have greater visibility than LinkedIN. How are both possible?

First, let?s set up your account. Make sure you also register as an alumni of your undergraduate, and graduate school ? Make sure to prepare with an alumni email address from the school, to prove you?re a graduate. The alumni networks can be some of the most valuable parts of Facebook, especially to job seekers.

Facebook is all about your network knowing what you are doing. You have a news feed that gets broadcast to your network to tell them what you are up to. So when you?re looking for a job, you are able to subtly remind your network and group that you are looking for a job?every day.

Now be careful?if you?re still employed, you?ll want to be careful to control what?s on, and who sees your news feed. You?re in luck ? Facebook features sophisticated privacy controls to control who sees what.

Facebook is also a great vehicle to have conversations with your network?its email capabilities are more robust and fully featured than LinkedIN.

Best yet, Facebook is a great vehicle to promote content to your groups and friends ? things like resumes, articles, blogs, podcasts, videos, pictures. But be careful because friends can post pictures including you in their own photo albums, tag you, and it?s also displayed in your own photo album (you may not even be aware of this). Fortunately, you can set security so you approve all pictures first. That lets you control the pictures of you dancing on the bar, balancing a beer bottle on your head ? maybe not what you?d want a potential employer to see.

I?ll post future articles giving tips of how to build your Facebook network, and the best Facebook apps for job seekers.

If you?d like more information, a free 30 minute resume consultation, or information about reCareered’s new Teleseminar series, just email your resume to reCareered at phil.reCareered@gmail.com, and we’ll schedule a time to talk.

When someone loses their job ?Thank you!? is not exactly the first phrase that comes to mind. Losing a job invokes feelings of fear and betrayal that are not easily overcome. Instantly the confusion and disillusionment sets in and one is left to wonder what the last few years were really worth.

How will I provide for my family? What good am I if I was fired? Is there something wrong with me? These are just some of the many questions that cross our minds after being laid-off. Losing a job that provided the support for your family is a staggering blow to anyone. While it can definitely be a painful ordeal to experience, that staggering blow does not have to be a knockout punch. There is life after termination and quite possibly a better life than you have ever dreamed.

We humans try to be practical. Rather than reach for the stars we just do what we must do to get by. We take high paying positions at jobs we hate just to afford the lifestyle that we think we want. We give up on big dreams and big ideas because we don?t want to chance losing all that we have worked for. Time after time and person after person, we sacrifice our tomorrow to take care of today.

Perhaps, it does not have to be this way any longer. Before getting locked into another job that you probably don?t like, think a few things through first. Ask yourself what you would do if you had no limits and you had nothing holding you back. What would you do if you knew you couldn?t fail? What would you do if you had the total assurance that the end result would be good?

Maybe now is the perfect time to try that big idea and maybe it will work. Maybe now is the time to go back to school or finish writing that novel or tryout that new invention that has been locked away because we had clocks to punch and bills to pay. It is quite possible that this devastating loss of a job could lead to a worthwhile and incredible career doing something that you love to do.

Whether you are just entering the workforce or you?ve just been laid-off from position that you held for thirty years, it is not too late for you to live your dream. Henry Ford did nothing substantial with cars until he was 40; Winston Churchill was over sixty before he became the Prime Minister of Great Britain; the founder of KFC was well into his sixties before his business became a success as well.

Even though you may have lost your job, don?t give-in to the thought that your dreams are too big or that you are too old or too young to be successful. Take a chance on yourself and live the life that you have always wanted to live.

By the time all is said and done, you just may be thanking God that you lost your job after all.

Tammy Roussin earns $100,000 a year as a pet sitter and dog walker, according to Parade magazine?s annual feature ?What People Earn.? I don?t know what that means as far as the number of canines around her feet every time she?s out walking them, but I?ll bet she?s very healthy with all that exercise!

I also don?t know if Tammy is a stay-at-home mom ? or SAHM as they say these days in instant messages and tweets — like you, but you still do have lots of opportunities open to you whether it involves pets or products or people.

A recent Gallup poll found 61 percent of Americans have a preference to be their own boss. Have you always longed to be your own boss? Own your own business? Be an entrepreneur? And now you’re ready to go for it?

If so, I think you?re in an enviable position ? being able to enjoy and care for your children at home, avoiding the rat-race of daily commuting while still having a fulfilling career ? and creating additional income for your family!

But wait a minute; a lot of moms I?ve coached have important questions and concerns. Aren?t a lot of work-at-home schemes really scams? What about my time? I need to be able to choose how many hours I can devote to a business and still stay flexible. My children come first. Would I need lots of office equipment? Where would I get the money to start up with the current lousy economy? Would I make enough income to make my time worthwhile? What could I do to make a real difference in other people?s lives, which is really important to me? I truly want to contribute to others outside my family circle.

All excellent questions. Let?s look at some possibilities.

Finding Expanding Income in a Declining Economy

Day care: Loving, capable day care is a constant need for working families and single parents, and in fact, is a growing need as the recession often means both parents have to work. Since you are already tuned in to the needs of children, their developmental stages, and especially parents? concerns, expanding your expertise to other children might make sense. You probably already have some of the special furniture ? crib(s), changing tables, child-sized furniture, and so forth that you?d need. Perhaps you?re not ready for all-day caretaking, but could help parents who need someone for just a few hours while they are in class, or volunteering, or for after-school hours.

Special considerations: Check into your community?s licensing requirements for health, safety, and other issues such as size of home, play equipment, food storage and preparation, and so forth. Are your own children likely to enjoy having others around to play with or will they be jealous that they no longer have Mom?s full attention? What will the costs be to accommodate whatever modifications you might have to make to your home or to purchase necessary items?

Home crafts: It seems every week I discover an enterprising, creative mom who has built her special talents for cooking, or crafting, or her curiosity for how to make life easier for moms and kids into a thriving business. For example, a hands-free carrier to snuggle babies close to your body while still having your arms free to do your work. With the current emphasis on ?green? living as well as the scares of hazardous materials recently found in children?s toys, many moms ? and dads ? are designing and selling healthy, safe, environmentally sound toys, clothing and other children?s products. Or perhaps you cook your own organic children?s food and treats ? or for adults too. Your friends always enjoy receiving it ? why not build a business on it?

Special considerations: Because of all the recent food and toy contamination scares, new regulations are cropping up daily to regulate these items. While totally commendable and necessary, a lot of the rules will force small businesses to close because the legal requirements for registration and regulations are formidable and expensive.

Working with people while staying at home. You?ve grown up hearing about Mary Kay Cosmetics and Amway, both organizations now almost 50 years old — and the grandmother of them all ? Avon, now over 100 years old. You may know someone who is, earning substantial income with one of these companies. You may have used some of the products, enjoying the personal relationship with your representative far more than purchasing them in an anonymous retail environment.

Also known as network marketing or multilevel marketing (MLM) companies, these giants of the industry have proven track records for supporting individuals in making a comfortable, if not highly successful income from their home-based, entrepreneurial efforts selling the products. But are there pitfalls?

While checking out the possibilities, ask yourself: Many MLM companies require you to maintain an inventory of their products. Would you have room if you live in a small home or apartment? Do you have the facilities or transportation ? and time — you?d need to hold product demonstration parties or meet with clients in person? Does the company compete with distributors by also selling products online? Do the products offer real value to the buyers?

One that offers genuine, desirable products for direct sale to consumers, for a concrete example, is an online greeting card system that makes it easy to send real printed cards in the mail in just a few minutes on the computer. Such a company can be a natural fit for anyone who likes to bring cheer into other people?s lives, or express their own creativity with personalized greetings, photos, artwork, etc. if they choose. (What a great way to show off those beautiful children and your lovely family!) Would the company and its product line you?re considering fit your lifestyle and values?

An MLM can be a great fit for moms who want to work from home, are motivated to help others while earning extra income, are computer savvy, and willing to expand their horizons.
Beware, however, of the thousands of MLM opportunities advertised — many are thinly disguised pyramid schemes, that while not technically illegal, skirt the fine line of scams. Just look through that endless cascade of junk email you get each day. Overpriced products (particularly ?health? related), eBay starter kits, ?type from home? schemes and other way-too-good-to-be-true offers are best left right where they are — unopened in your junk mail folder.

There are lots of resources to check on the business practices of MLMs. One of the best is www.mlmwatch.org

Your personal satisfaction and ability to earn income for your family didn?t need to stop when that first baby came into your life. Explore your options; build for your future; fulfill your potential ? and appreciate the opportunity to have the life you love.

RESOURCE BOX
Interested in more income, personal satisfaction, expanding your horizons, or making a positive difference in other people?s lives? Karen Saunders has built a successful home-based business that is particularly suited to those who don?t want to sacrifice time with their families. If you?d like to learn more about how she?s accomplished that and useful tips to meet your goals, call toll-free 888-796-7300 or visit www.momstayathome.com

No matter how you?ve become unemployed over the past year or more ? whether through choice or force ? if you?re looking to regain employment, this is a tough time to make your dream a reality. With millions of jobs lost in the past few months, acquiring a new gig is not a simple task.

In fact, the process can be downright discouraging, which is why it?s good to keep with you a few ways that you can keep your spirits up during your job search. Let?s look at what they are ?

Maintain Your Sense of Control

One reason that job searches can be so discouraging is because they seemingly force you to relinquish your control. Once you type up your resumes and cover letters and hand them out, you?re left to bite your nails as you wait for interviews to flood in. But even if you secure one interview, you?re still left with the task of biting your nails some more as you wait to see if you?ve actually landed the position you want.

These aspects of the process make you feel that you?re leaving your destiny completely in someone else?s hands. In a sense, you are. But in a greater sense, you?re not. If you think about it, you?re leaving your destiny with that company in someone else?s hands, but there are plenty of other opportunities out that that you can grab. So as you hand out your resumes and cover letters, it?s good to maintain a sense of control by creating new connections and educating yourself further in your industry. This way, you can feel confident that one battle lost will by no means cost you the war.

Learn to Appreciate the Journey

Probably one of the most challenging aspects of a difficult job search is appreciating the steps taken along the way. It?s pretty easy to slip into an attitude of dismay as you watch yourself being turned down for more positions than you could have imagined possible. However, believe it or not, it?s just as easy in this circumstance to see the glass half full as it is to see it half empty. In other words, you can just as easily see the positives of being in this predicament.

What are they, you ask? Well, for one, you have more freedom now than you?ve probably had in a long time; freedom that you probably begged for when you were leading your busy life as a professional. Now you have it, so it?s good not to waste it. During this time, you can look at other opportunities that you may have considered engaging but were too busy to do so when working. Also, you can make time for your family and leisurely activities. Don?t let this time get you down. Instead, let it help you grow even more profoundly into the person you want to be.

Probably one of the most important ways to keep your spirits up is to be proud of your ability to persevere in tough times. You are stronger than you could have ever imagined. Embrace this incredible aspect of your personality. This, along with your gifts of appreciation and emotional stability will help you make the most of your journey toward your next great opportunity.

Heather Eagar is a former professional resume writer and is passionate about providing working professionals with current, reliable and effective job search tools and information. Need resume writers? Compare the top ones in the industry at http://www.resumelines.com.