The Golden Rule

“Treat others, as you want to be treated.”

You have probably been hearing that since before you can remember. It’s a pretty basic rule that, if applied, could mean a better life for you and others around you. So what in the WORLD does this have to do with a job search??? Looking for a career can become stressful, exhausting, disappointing and frustrating. What happens when you start experiencing some of these emotions? You are less focused, less attentive, you may be less sensitive to situations. It can affect your health and it will affect your attitude. How can you showcase a prospective employer one hundred percent of your skills and abilities when you’re dealing with these disheartening emotions? It’s difficult to treat others in a positive matter when you yourself are feeling unmotivated or discouraged.

You may have just been turned down for that dream career, or just released from a career from which you were expecting to retire. So the way you are feeling is understandable. But you must not let any ill feelings, regrets or hurt that you are experiencing from a past situation affect your future opportunities.

Okay, that is all great, but what can you do? Here are a few ideas to help you face all prospective employers with positive energy and expectations, even when you may feel frustrated.

Before you apply for a new job, go to a networking meeting or even participate in a practice interview. OWN your feelings. Address them, acknowledge how they feel and be okay with it. Understand that your emotions are your own and you’re entitled to them.

After you have accepted the way you feel, don’t carry that into your next experience.
•Write down what you expect from this new journey.
•Think and write about what great skills you can offer this company.
•Write down how you can benefit professionally if you accept the position.
•Look at alternatives. What if you discover that this opportunity is not a good fit, or they decide to go with another candidate? What positive experience can you still pull from the situation?
•Work on building or strengthening networking relationships. Connect with people on LinkedIn.
•Expand your career search into other areas where you can apply your transferable skills.
•Get warmed up, practice makes perfect! What will you say? How will you answer questions that you may still have some ill feeling about? The more you practice, the better results you will get.
•Be very aware of your body language as well as your words. Remember your body speaks volumes before your words do.

No matter what, make a conscious decision to go into every interview with a positive attitude and leave the same way.

Today is a new day. Start fresh and apply a job search tool we learned at an early age. Treat others the way we want to be treated; give the employer the BEST YOU. Not casting blame, or whining about disappointments, but treating everyone as an individual, even employers. They deserve a chance to see the gifts, skills and talents that you possess. Show them, and embrace every opportunity with no regrets.

“We recruit for attitude and train for skill.”
― Atul Gawande, M.D., author, surgeon and researcher