1) Out with Bad Feelings If you hoped to get a job and you didn’t there are bound to be some bad feelings hanging out at your house, whether they are disappointment, anger, sadness or shock.  You need to acknowledge those feelings and then use your favorite methods for chasing them away.  Suggestions include:

• exercising
• venting to a friend
• screaming out loud (One person said she would drive all the way around the DC beltway screaming so as not to alarm neighbors.  Apparently a screaming driver on the DC Beltway does not attract attention.)
• having a good cry
• ______________________ (you fill in the blank)

2) In with Some Good Having completed step 1 (don’t skip it), it’s time to move on to creating some good feelings in you. You know best what is likely to work, but here are some options that have worked for me:

• Having a good snuggle with my dog
• Taking a walk in a beautiful setting
• Going for a run
• Watching a funny movie
• Seeing a friend who can always make me laugh
• Praying for strength to persevere
• Take a nap
• Play or Make some Music

3) Give it a Rest (Optional Step) Sometimes it is NOT as easy as step 1 and 2 and off you go. If you have vented the bad feelings, but you sense they are still lurking around ready to pounce, you may want to give yourself a brief break from your job search.

 
4) EVALUATE This is the most important step. Even if you were sure you were a slam dunk for the job and the company must be idiots to not hire you, take a minute to consider any strategies that might help you with the next job opening. Maybe there was a skill that the company wanted that you can either acquire or need a better presentation of what you do know. If you applied and got no response, perhaps you want to consider ways to make your application stand out, whether that is delivering it in person or using a non-standard application. If you have no idea of anything you could do differently, you may want to get advice. If you can hire a job coach that’s great. But if you need a free approach, many colleges have career centers to help both current students and alumni. Or even dedicate a half-hour to brainstorming with a friend on beefing up your job hunt approach.

 
5)Thank THEM WHAT? Yes, thank the turds that turned you down. Oops. You aren’t supposed to be considering them that way. If you are you may need to go back to the first tip. Write a short email thanking them for considering you for the job. If you had an interview, you appreciate the time that they took to speak with you. Tell them you would appreciate any suggestions for improving your chances of finding a job. Say that you hope they will consider you in the future or let you know if a colleague has an opening that matches their skills. Thanking people for taking the time to consider you and possibly getting feedback from them will separate you from the rest of the pack quickly. You will have the satisfaction of taking the high road (as opposed to the person who emailed them “your loss” when they didn’t get a job offer) and you will impress people and make them consider how awesome it would be to have an employee with such a positive attitude. You never know when their next opening may occur. Good luck and best wishing on your job hunting journey!! Please add a comment below if you have any tips you’d like to add.