“You are not working from home; you are at home during a crisis trying to work” – @bryanl – Twitter
The abrupt cancellation of events due to the coronavirus pandemic has left many brand ambassadors temporarily unemployed (or underemployed) and seeking new opportunities.
Staying focused, motivated, and organized during any job search is always a challenge. Add in a crisis, and it may feel impossible to be productive or positive. But, approaching a job search as if it is your job can provide a sense of stability and purpose.
Brand Ambassadors: 11 Tips to Keep You Productive and Positive While Searching for a Job
1. Don’t Panic
- Remind yourself not to panic. It’s a tough directive, but it’s crucial to your wellbeing.
- If you start to panic, take a deep breath, and remember that this too shall pass.
- Be kind to yourself and treat your body and mind well.
2. Create a Workspace That Makes You Happy
Feeling secure, happy, and comfortable in your workspace will do wonders for your motivation and outlook.
- Designate a dedicated and quiet space to set up your work area.
- Comfortable seating, natural light from windows, and plants create an inviting and soothing space.
- Surround yourself with things you love, such as photos of family and friends, cute toys, candles, plants, inspirational quotes, and so forth.
3. Set Shift Times and a Schedule
Customizing your workday to who you are as an individual will maximize your time (and productivity).
- Ask yourself the following questions:
- When do I have the most energy and focus?
- How many hours can I realistically maintain productivity?
- What days of the week do I want to work?
- Consolidate your most intense work effort to the hours and days in which you feel you’re most productive.
- Knowing what’s ahead will keep you organized and motivated.
4. Remove Distractions
- Anything that could potentially pull you away from work should be out of sight.
- Actions such as putting your phone in a drawer, staying off social media sites, and keeping the television off will help you stay on task.
5. Treat Your Body Well
- When working, take mini-breaks regularly. Stretch, take a walk, or go outside to get some fresh air.
- Get plenty of sleep, eat fruits and veggies, drink water, and exercise regularly. Your body will reward you with more energy!
6. Create a Task List
- At the end of your workday, while it’s fresh on your mind, make a list of things you would like to accomplish the following day. This will free up your headspace you can relax during your downtime.
- Tackle the most difficult tasks first. Handling those at that start of your job search session will feel empowering!
- Understanding what you need to accomplish ahead of time will help you keep your momentum going throughout the day.
7. Manage Your Expectations
- You are feeling drained, take a break. Overdoing it can lead to burnout which will make you less productive in your job search.
- If you need to take a day off, by all means, take the day off to rest and recharge.
- Be flexible with your time, effort, and schedule.
- Don’t expect to be at 100% under the current circumstances; do your best and know when to rest!
8. Reward Yourself
- Treating yourself at the end of the day will give you something to look forward to.
- Change up your rewards to keep you motivated.
- Recharge your batteries by doing something you usually don’t have time to do. For example, take a nap, binge watch a show, read a book, ETC.
- Indulge yourself by enjoying a sweet treat, take a relaxing bath, get out in nature, and so forth.
9. Unplug and Free Your Mind
- At the day’s end, unplug from all things related to your job search.
- Resist checking your email “after hours” and disable your mobile notifications.
- If any ideas or tasks pop up in your mind, add them to a list so you can revisit them the next day.
10. Stay Connected
- Staying connected with the brand ambassador community via social media industry groups and pages will remind you that you aren’t alone.
- Exchanging ideas, tips, and advice with other brand ambassadors will keep you motivated and hopeful in your job search.
11. Be Patient With Yourself and Others
- Expect that there may be a delay in getting responses from employers and don’t take it personally. Everyone is dealing with a lot right now, both personally and professionally.
- You will have good days and bad days, and you may have some days when you don’t want to search for a job. All of this is normal, but the important thing to remember is that you are doing your best.
Searching for a job during the pandemic is a unique situation, so treat yourself well – you’ve got this!
ATN wants you to know that we care about you, your livelihood, and wellbeing. We are dedicated to providing our brand ambassadors with resources, articles, and tips to help navigate through this unsettling time. Be sure to check out our talent blog for additional resources and follow us on social!
