Waiting to Exhale

In my coaching practice, I have counseled numerous clients on how to be the most productive with the time between jobs. The obvious answer is to approach a job search as your full-time job. However, I have found there are many considerations in deciding how best to use this time.

While you are “holding your breath” waiting for that phone call or e-mail for an interview or job offer, consider the following:

• Use a calendar to schedule your days in blocks of time. You probably maintained a calendar at your last job, so continue the habit. Through it, you will develop a structure and plan for the days or weeks ahead. And that, in turn, can help keep your spirits up and help you stay productive.
• While you should consider your job search as your full-time job, in reality you cannot spend 8-10 hour stretches each day on your search. Schedule blocks of time to include other activities (see below) to refresh yourself and stay active.
• This is a great time to pursue a few activities that you have been meaning to but have not had the time or put off doing. Take time to exercise (even a short walk to start), take a yoga classes, join a local gym or YMCA to work out or swim, start meditating or join a group in your community to have “face time” with other people. These activities are an investment in yourself and re-creating balance that you may have sacrificed in the past.
• Often when we are engaged in a job search, there are many days when we do not feel we have made any progress in the “fruits of our labor.” One way to counter this feeling is to undertake a home project and schedule 1-2 hours each day to work on it. I had one client, a C-level executive involved in a protracted search, who spent a couple of hours each day and weekend time finishing his basement. Each day he could see physical progress and it helped him. Soon he had a new job and family room. If that is more than you wish to tackle, try a smaller project, plant a garden, build a shed, scrapbook family photos or whatever works for you.
  

While to some these suggestions may seem obvious, it never hurts to reinforce good ideas. More than one psychologist has suggested that the best therapy in conquering the “blues” is to keep busy and stay productive. The by-product of outside activities is when you speak with a networking contact, meet a recruiter or visit an employer, you will most likely be in a better frame of mind to maximize the impression you make.

When you are back in the workforce, and involved the daily grind, you can look back on this time as trying but productive. You may even miss this time between jobs a bit.

Please feel free to add your comments and suggestions. We would love to hear from you.

Keep Careering Today and Everyday.

Mark