How to boost your job seeker confidence during declines

According to the United Way of the National Capital Area's recent survey,¹ it takes an average of 6.6 months for U.S. job seekers to find work. Given that many people cannot afford the financial burden of being unemployed that long, it's obvious that there is mental damage to worry about as well.

We're not saying that you have to be wildly happy while pushing a boulder up the hill (that's unrealistic), but we do want to talk about how to keep your confidence up, so you can hopefully beat that metric.

The best ways to keep yourself motivated and positive during a search are adopting both preparedness and proactive mental wellness. We'll outline some of the ways to achieve those aims.

Be prepared for anything

Know the questions they might ask

Interviews are exchanges of questions. There are typical questions asked in every interview, like:

• Can you tell me about yourself?
• What are your weaknesses?
• What are you looking for in your next role?
• What stood out about our company?
• Who do you look up to?
• In the first 90 days, what would you like to accomplish?
• What types of skills would you bring to the role?
• What is your favorite part of working in the x industry?
• What goals would you like this company to reach?

Beyond these initial questions, it's smart to complete in-depth research on your chosen companies to figure out what they may ask. That will position you best to respond.

Practice interviewing

To get ready for your inevitable interview, practice, practice and practice some more. Here are some methods to consider:

• Speak up–Practice aloud so you can hear where you're faltering.
• Phone a friend–Get a friend to quiz you (bonus points if they work in your target industry or for a company you want to work for).
• Use AI–Do a mock interview using technology like Pramp⁷ or ChatGPT.⁸ AI platforms can be instructed to act as a hiring manager and tailor specific questions to a job you are applying for!

Develop your own questions

Interviewers like engaged candidates who have done their research. Since you already researched your ideal companies, it's only natural to prepare questions to ask them at the end of the interview.

We suggest coming up with at least three to show that you are invested in your career and the company's future.

Create a support team

While job seeking can feel like a solo sport, it isn't. You need references to demonstrate your effectiveness.

If you can't find a job to apply for that day (and even if you can), ask a former colleague for a LinkedIn testimonial or take a look at the reference list you provide potential employers. Your list very well may need an update, and that means you need to reach out to people to inform them of your intentions. Who knows? One might already have a role in mind for you!

Take time for what matters

Don't panic

There's a special sort of panic that takes over when you're unemployed. All sorts of questions pop into your head. Here are just a few that we've heard:

• Can I afford to keep my child in daycare?
• How will the mortgage get paid?
• How long can I make minimum payments on my credit card?
• When do utilities get shut off?
• Can I make a withdrawal from an investment account?
• Who can I ask for help?
• Who am I without my job?
• What's my purpose in life?
• Am I worth something without a career?

Take a breath. As you can see, these questions fall into several categories: practical life needs and existentialism. Both can be scary, but neither is insurmountable. Take it one week, one day, one hour or even one minute at a time. Stay even and remain strong.

Set a schedule that includes rest

With all the panic in your mind, it's easy to spiral, but you can still take actionable steps forward while considering your overall well-being.

Schedule sleep. Really. The Mayo Clinic notes that adults need seven hours each night,² and the quality of that sleep matters too. To improve that:

• Put your phone down.
• Do something relaxing before sleep, like reading a physical book.
• Make your restful space as comforting as possible.
• Go to bed at the same time each night, if possible.

Consider exercise a part of your job

You may not be actively employed, but you sure as anything can still get active. Adults need both moderate-intensity physical exercise and muscle-strengthening activity each week. Specifically, adults need a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity and two days of muscle-strengthening activity.³

Exercise improves your overall health, mental and physical, which will allow you to continue your job search in a sustained manner. Get out there and get moving.

Embrace fun

Too many people beat themselves up mentally when they are made redundant. It isn't your fault, so don't let those thoughts take hold. Instead, find something you really enjoy doing and do it when you have a spare minute. Here are some options to get you started:

• Visit the library–Check your local library or bookstore for other groups that have similar interests and have clubs around them.
• Find your people–If you're mostly in the house these days, find community online. There are plenty of groups on social networks based around everything from knitting to board games.
• Achieve a dream–Write that novel you've always thought about (or whatever that forgotten dream is!)
• Up the quality of your life–Get into DIY around your home and improve your immediate space. In the summer months, gardening can be incredibly therapeutic. Some scientists say it can even boost immunity!¹⁰
• Get support–Call a friend and go spend time with them.

While you need to make an effort on your actual job search, it's okay to make time for fun. You deserve it.

Staying positive isn't about what others think of you; it's about how it makes you feel inside. And yes, it will have the happy bonus of showing the best of you to others (some of whom might be hiring). Are you ready to find new work? Browse our openings.

Sources and inspiration

1. How Long Does It Take to Find a Job in 2026? [Survey]
2. How many hours of sleep are enough?
3. Adult Activity: An Overview
4. Benefits of Physical Activity
5. Clever, honest ways to answer “What are your weaknesses?”
6. Common job seeker weaknesses and how to solve for them
7. What questions to ask in an interview and why
8. Pramp
9. ChatGPT
10. Short‐term direct contact with soil and plant materials leads to an immediate increase in diversity of skin microbiota

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