Resilience is a requirement throughout the job search

It may be a candidate-driven job market at present, but candidates often face lengthy application forms, tough interviews and intense presentations and assessments with the end result being rejection.

Most people will go through the recruitment process a number of times before they are successful and resilience is required throughout.

Resilience is defined as 'the ability to thrive, mature and increase competence in the face of adverse circumstances'. In other words, when faced with difficult issues or situations you are able to bounce back.

So allow me to briefly outline the choice of attitudes, their likely consequences and present some tips to help you be more resilient:

÷The Positive Attitude

Those with a positive attitude are likely to be more successful and within a shorter period of time. They will come across at interview as a positive and confident individual, which is a strong selling point for any employer.

When job searching and entering the recruitment process these types of individuals will tend to remain focused, understand the jobs they are applying for, which jobs not to apply for and how to effectively connect their skills and experience to the requirements of the job and the organisational culture.

Positive people will tend to be focused and driven at work.

- The Defensive Attitude

Defensive individuals feel hard done by, which can become evident at the interview stage, and when they receive a rejection they can be quick to question why they weren't chosen.

This situation sometimes leads to candidates requesting feedback from interview panels in a defensive manner. This results in panel members providing limited feedback and candidates don't learn from the process.

They may take it further if they feel there has been potential discrimination, which adds more stress to an already defensive individual.

- The Negative Attitude

Individuals who are negative will tend to lack focus during their job search and miss opportunities.

When they do apply for a job and enter into the recruitment process they may be inclined to put little effort into application forms or CVs and will lack preparation if they get to the interview stage, the result of which will usually be a rejection and the thought that the job wasn't really for them in the first place.

As the weeks and months go on a similar chain of events occurs and the person becomes less focused, more frustrated and the pressure builds, which becomes even more evident during interviews.


Tips

From the attitudes outlined above it is clear that one tip for being more resilient is to develop a positive attitude.

Of course, the question is always how do I develop a positive attitude - and how can I be more resilient when caught up in the world of job searching?

1. Know yourself

Take time to reflect, identify and note the skills, knowledge and experience you have developed over the years (including those which are transferable). Take stock of the qualifications and training you have undertaken and the sector(s) you have worked in.

2. Review

Review the skills, knowledge, experience, qualifications and sector(s) and write down what you enjoy, can tolerate and what you really don't enjoy.

Additionally, you should identify your strengths and weaknesses and areas you would like to develop.

3. Objectives

Before you start your search, set some realistic objectives and tell yourself that job searching and the recruitment process is likely to be time consuming and take a good few months or, in some cases, longer. This way when you haven't got a new job within a month you are unlikely to panic.

4. Search and match

Now that you are focused you should be in a position to start your job search because you should be clear and focused on the type of job and organisation you are looking for, as opposed to applying for any job which you think you might be able to do.

5. Action

Don't leave the application process to the last minute; prepare in advance and allow yourself time to reflect, review and amend before submitting; remember this is the first step to getting an interview. Likewise allow plenty of time to prepare for interviews.

6. Feedback

Ask for constructive feedback and try to develop relationships with people during the job search and recruitment process because you could meet these people again in the future or they may eventually be the key to helping you secure a new job.

The tips identified are focused on the likely steps to success, however a fundamental tip throughout the process is to exercise, which is a key contributory factor to adopting a positive attitude and a more resilient nature.


Beth McMaw is a senior consultant with Forde May Consulting, which specialises in executive search, headhunting, recruitment and selection. She, Neal Lucas, Forde May or Valerie Reid can be contacted on 9062 8877 or visit the internet sites www.fordemayconsulting.com or www.jobmarketni.com.