Motivating yourself to find a new job

Have you been thinking about finding a new job but lack the enthusiasm to start looking for one? Maybe you are fearful about making a change? Or maybe it just seems easier to stay where you are?

Whatever the reason, it can sometimes be difficult to muster up the motivation necessary to begin a job search. If this is the case for you, below are some key considerations which may help with changing your mindset so you can go out there and find the job you want:

1. Jobs are an important part of personal wellbeing

It sounds like a cliché, but being happy at work should be a goal for every worker. Research has demonstrated that happy workers are more productive. There is also a strong correlation between being happy at work and positive health outcomes, greater creativity, and quicker career advancement. In fact, a 2011 study published in the Harvard Business Review reported that happy employees are 31% more productive and three times more creative than employees who are less satisfied with their work.

A number of studies conducted over the last ten years have also identified that being in work provides a number of important benefits in addition to financial security. These include social connection, a sense of community and improved self-esteem.

It is estimated the average worker spends almost a third of their life at work – as a result of this investment of time and the positive benefits that work can bring, finding a job you enjoy and find meaningful should be a priority!

2. It is a job seekers market

Now is the perfect time to be searching for a job. The unemployment rate is a record low 3.5% Australia-wide, and according to the latest Workforce Skills Survey conducted by Business NSW, more than 90% of businesses are experiencing skills shortages and almost 50% report it is just as difficult to fill entry level positions as experienced positions.

This environment means that job seekers have considerable options when it comes to finding a job they like and which meets their needs. To get the employees they need, employers are more open-minded when it comes to finding the right candidate and are more willing to negotiate on salary and work conditions than they were previously. Some of the most in-demand employee benefits at the moment are:

• a hybrid working model; which is a combination of working from home and working in the office
• training and professional development
• additional paid leave, such as extra annual leave
• health and wellbeing assistance, such as employee assistance programs, gym memberships, health insurance discounts, and health and wellbeing training and courses.

3. There are plenty of job seeking tools, resources and assistance available

Don’t let concerns about having the right job seeking tools stop you from finding a new job!

If you need help with developing or updating your resume, or you just need to know where to find new jobs, there is plenty of assistance available online and/or through professionals who can help develop job seeking documents such as CVs/resumes and covering letters, and can assist you with finding job opportunities.

Skillset has compiled a comprehensive list of job seeking resources on our website:

• For information about job seeking tools and skills, click here.
• For job opportunities in the Central West, click here.