Tips to help you stay positive while job hunting

You've followed every bit of career advice but still no luck with your job hunt? The answer could be positive thinking

Unemployment continues to rise and times may get tougher still for jobseekers. There is plenty of good advice around: most people have picked up tips on how to write a good CV and how to network, and they're throwing everything they've got at their job search. Despite this, many people still do not see results. So what can you do? What's the missing ingredient that might get you ahead of the game?

The answer may lie in you. Any good salesperson will tell you that people buy from people they like. Similarly, employers give jobs to people they like. Of course, you have to have the skills and experience as well, but when two or more candidates rank equally, the job is more likely to go to the person who formed the best relationship with the potential employer.

To make a good impression, you need to be positive and engaging, which can be hard when you're weighed down by the burden of unemployment. Being positive is a vital pre-condition for your job search: if you feel negative or unenthusiastic, it could come across when you meet people, and they won't buy you.

We all need different stimuli to help boost morale. For some, a few days break from the grind of job searching will do the trick. Others will find that a good workout in the gym, or regular sport, helps to re-energise and motivate them. Some people will find their positivity through spiritual means, or with the help of friends or colleagues. Or maybe a professional or career coach will help to keep you motivated and on track.

To help stay positive, remember your achievements. You should have a bank of achievements that you keep for your CV anyway, so that every time you apply for a job you can include those which are most relevant. These demonstrate what you do when you are performing at your best and could come from any area of your life: work, family or social. Reviewing this list can help you recall the mood of success.

Another technique to keep you motivated is to listen to your favourite music just before you make an important call, go into a meeting or interview, or even while you are writing a job application. We all know how important music can be for our mood: use it to your advantage while applying for jobs.

But remember, it doesn't matter how positive you are, there will always be times when things go wrong. Motivation won't solve everything. It's important to understand that the current job market is fiercely competitive and, in many cases, a bit of a lottery. If you get turned down, it may be disappointing but it's not always because there is something wrong with you – it's just that someone else got lucky.

If you really do feel knocked back by a rejection, however, take a deep breath, get up and do something else to take your mind off it. You can't always force an emotion to go away; you have to wait for your mood to lighten. Go back to your achievements, focus on what you do well and remind yourself that you are good. If you need to, find a shoulder to cry on – it can help.

Staying positive is not always easy; in fact, it's the hardest job search technique of all. It can feel artificial and pointless – and trying to stay positive and failing can even make you feel worse. But it's critical that you don't get bogged down by jobseeking and that employers can see your motivation.