Don't take rejection personally. Hiring decisions are complicated and even more so in today's economic climate. Don't take rejection personally. Hiring decisions are complicated and even more so in today's economic climate. (Paul Sancya/Associated Press)Staying motivated and keeping your momentum up during a job search can be challenging, even for scrappy professionals. Here are some practical tips to give yourself a leg up when you feel your energy for your job search is waning.

Adopt some practical steps, which can shorten your job search. Reference your performance appraisals and evaluations to remind you of your accomplishments. Also, consider meeting with former colleagues to help jog your memory. This value-added information can help round out and optimize your résumé and other self-marketing activities and materials.

Partner with another job seeker and/or form a job-seeker group to provide organization and support for your search, and build in accountability.


Increase your skills and marketability by taking courses or attaining certifications in your field. You can also access and read up on information related to your industry, upcoming trends and relevant news to keep abreast of important information. Leverage the internet as a bottomless resource while monitoring to make sure you don't spend all of your time online.

Follow up with companies after interviews as a regular practice. By doing this you'll avoid disappointment and will encourage their feedback.

Don't take rejection personally. Hiring decisions are complicated and even more so in today's economic climate. Your hire could have been derailed due to a number of factors out of your control including a strong internal candidate, a hiring freeze, someone with more experience or a host of other reasons.

Take advantage of the unique opportunity for visiting or spending time with family and friends. Chances are you won't have the same luxury of time once you land your next job.

Contract the services of a career coach to assist you with your search. They can provide you with tips and tools to navigate the job search process more effectively.

Leverage LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter

Network like your life depended on it. Inform your network of your job seeking status. Make sure that you've provided them with clear information about your job objectives, background and skills so that they can be as helpful as possible.

Use social media tools to build your online brand, increase your visibility, support your credentials and network more effectively.

When you apply to an openly posted job, commit to finding an internal contact. In today's job market, relying on traditional methods of getting noticed are no longer effective. If you don't have a contact, you can leverage LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and other social-networking tools to identify internal contacts that can potentially introduce you, provide you with valuable insight or assist in getting around traditional gate keepers in the job search process.

Take advantage of employee referral programs, which are gaining even more popularity of late. Getting introduced to an employer of choice via this method could escalate your being considered a candidate. Or go to the source. Schedule brief information meetings with people "in the know" at their convenience. They may be able to give you useful advice on your job search strategy, résumé, job focus, recommend resources and areas for improvement.

Attend local job search networking events. This will broaden your networking pool and could give you greater access to leads you may not have access to otherwise. Network without expecting anything in return — make your focus on helping others first. You'll be surprised at how beneficial "paying it forward" can be, and your efforts will not be forgotten.

It's easy to fall into isolation in the job search and this could derail your ability to make important connections and get needed support. So, here's how to get out and make the most of it:

  • Develop a new schedule for your job search, which includes time away from home and time with others. Commit to making sure your "out and about" time is a regular part of your job search activities.
  • Check out your local calendar of community events for alumni or industry meetings. These could be excellent vehicles to make connections, get introductions and stay up-to-date.
  • Volunteer. There are many opportunities for you to donate your time, which could increase your feeling of self-worth, keep your skills fresh and provide an opportunity to network with others in a unique setting.

Take care of your emotional, mental and physical self. Focus on the things you can control and keep your mental energy "forward facing" to avoid being steeped in the past, which could prevent you from moving forward.

Ask for help and get over the idea that asking for help is anything other than that. Most individuals will be glad to provide some kind of support, advice or assistance if they are solicited in the right way. Consider creating a personal "Board of Directors" composed of people whose opinion you value. You could poll this group regarding your search to get their feedback on how to improve or amend your efforts.

Give yourself a reward for productive, focused days. Plan an activity that you enjoy to recharge your batteries.

Get your endorphins going by participating in some regular exercise of choice. This will keep your stress level down and energy up! Mourning the loss of your job is normal. But if you find that you are spending too much time dwelling on "what was," re-focus your energy on what lies ahead and the future.

Diane Crompton and Ellen Sautter are co-authors of Find a Job Through Social Networking, as well as career management consultants with nearly 40 years of combined experience in the career-transition industry. Both reside in Atlanta, Ga., and have coached professionals at all levels from a wide range of functional and industry backgrounds and with varying career objectives, including self-employment.