Working World

Every day we hear more gloomy news about the economy, the job market or our standard of living. And every day we listen, hanging on every word, wringing our hands and fretting about the future. People who have a natural compunction toward the negative feel vindicated during these times and are quick to say, "I told you so." They become emboldened about their philosophy of lack, while those with positive attitudes become marginalized and beaten back by the incessant flood of negative news and dire warnings. But it's all an illusion.

Both the negatives and the positives are perceptions driven by words and what people think, not always by what is real. We depend on "experts" to tell us how to perceive and what to believe when it is, and always has been, our prerogative to make that decision.

There are, of course, quantifiable facts. The unemployment rate is hovering around 10.5 percent in California, wages are decreasing and people are losing their jobs. But these are cyclical events that have been rising and falling for as long as man has been keeping records, and as an individual we have little if any control over them. We do, however, have control over how we perceive them and how we feel about them.

So, how does this affect your job search? Getting a job is all about perception, what we can and cannot control. We can choose to give in to the negative information and quiet panic, or we can go positive. That is a choice, even though it doesn't feel like one when in the middle of despair.

How many times have you had the experience of being in demand because you are already working? Or having too many projects and not enough time? Or the minute you decide to go away for a vacation opportunities start to flood in? This is a natural law of the universe at work. Others perceive you as a person who has the abilities, knowledge and talents that are needed because you are actively using them and are in demand. You have a positive outlook. You are also the person who is sometimes looking for a job and doesn't have a lot of projects. The only difference is one of perception.

When you start giving voice to the negative side of things, you see only that and not the positives, then you start doing things based on that viewpoint. The hardest thing to do, and the most heroic, is to keep being positive in the face of a mountain of negativity. The astronauts of Apollo 13, facing the direst of circumstances, overcame their feelings and moved toward a solution. There are countless examples throughout history of similar events and people that overcame them.

I know this sounds crazy and counterintuitive, but the only way to succeed in the face of negative "proof" is to act as if it is the way you want it to be. Say that you can, that you are what you desire to be, that you do have experience and knowledge, and then start acting in a way that backs up what you say. The funny thing is that the universe, God, whomever you believe in, wants to give to you what you say you are. If you say you want something then he/she/it will give it to you. Not to get biblical or anything, but in the beginning there was the word. Say it, mean it and it will be.
    
Here are tips to get you started in overcoming the negativity and panic about your job search:

• Be busy. Whatever that means for you: work out, plant a garden, do volunteer work, start your own project. When you are busy doing something it tends to take your mind off of the negative. It also proves that you are someone of value. The more you do, the more you will be in demand.

• Have a plan and work it. Decide for yourself what you are going to do each day. Have a goal and then once you've reached it give yourself a reward and up the ante the next day.

• Be proactive. Don't ever wait for someone to do something for you or for him or her to get back to you after an initial contact. You have every right to keep checking in with a prospective employer or contact until they give an answer.

• Stay away from negative people and information. The more you support your positive outlook the better. Let's face it, we all get down at times, but that is when it is most important to keep the above techniques in mind and remember we always get what we say we have.
 
Armed with these tactics, you will overcome obstacles and prevail in your job search. It may not always be comfortable or easy, but know that you already have the job and it's out there waiting for you.  

Recently featured on LA Live as an expert consultant on resume and job search preparation, Brad M. Bucklin has written numerous articles for local and national publications, For 17 years he has owned and operated Professional Literary Services, where he writes and edits a wide range of material for individual and corporate clients.

1 COMMENTS

• Catherine Rhodes

  Everyone who is looking for a job should read this article. It's hard to stay positive in this economy and information like this helps.

  Oct 24, 2009