Celebrate the Small Stuff

You've heard of, "Don't sweat the small stuff". An even more powerful statement is, "Celebrate the small stuff". Job seekers become intensely invested in the final outcome...the job offer. They're on top of the world if they get the job, or a complete failure if they don't. It's an all or nothing attitude.

Try celebrating the small successes throughout the process. If you're asked for an interview, then you know your resume is working. Great...let's celebrate!! If you're asked back for a second interview, then you know you aced the first one. Great...let's celebrate!! If the company wants to fly you to its headquarters for a final interview, then you know what you're doing is working. Great...let's celebrate!!

So much of the job search process is beyond your control. The company decides to promote an internal employee instead of hiring a new one, there is an unexpected hiring freeze, or the department manager is pressured into hiring the boss's nephew. There are so many scenarios that take place "behind the scenes", that you can't afford to expend unnecessary amounts of energy trying to predict or control the outcome.

When you celebrate the small successes along the way, you build confidence, momentum, and positive energy. Make a conscious decision to focus on the positive and minimize the negative. Congratulate yourself, acknowledge your hard work, toast your accomplishments, and savour your successes.