My Mega Travels

How To Beat The Job Search Blues And Stay Motivated

Posted on September 1, 2023September 11, 2023
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byMy Mega Travels

According to an article in the NY Times, depression can set in at around 10-12 weeks of a job search. You start to feel dejected, pathetic, humbled, frustrated, etc. The list of terrible adjectives goes on and on, but most of all, you feel hopeless. In other words, you’ve got the job search blues.

In addition to the obvious coping mechanisms (e.g. stick to a daily routine, don’t beat yourself up, lean on your network), here are 10 additional ways for how to cope with the job search blues, stay motivated and keep things in perspective until you find your dream job.

1. Play a Game

First, do something fun. Play a fun, silly game on one of your devices or a game console.

It’s On Like Donkey Kong

The reasons are two-fold.
First, you feel like you’re accomplishing something. For example, I play Clash Royale which involves battling with baby dragons, skeleton armies, and a mohawked barbarian riding a hog (my personal favorite). Every time I crush someone in battle, I feel a bit better about myself. ‘See? I’m not a total unproductive loser today, because I beat a 12-year old from Japan!’ [claps for self] Consequently, it’s a small, but effective, dose of accomplishment…and fun.

Allow Yourself To Power Up

Secondly, the game will give you a much needed break from the daily monotony of job searching. You can even turn it into a motivation. For instance, ‘if I slog through reading these 10 soul-crushing job posts, I can play 20 minutes of Candy Crush.”

Make sure you’re not allowing games to be a time suck. Play games in 10-20 minute increments to chill and unwind. But otherwise, stay productive.

My Mega Tip: Some of my favorites:
Clash Royale
Homescapes
Words With Friends
Candy Crush Saga
Elevate
The Sims (oldie but goodie)

2. Work Out. Every Single Day.

girl working out at gym class to beat job search blues — Photo by Geert Pieters on Unsplash

If you’re a procrastinator like me, when faced with an unpleasant task like searching for a job, sometimes you find a slightly less unpleasant task to do instead…like working out.

Exercising is an excellent way to get your mind clear. Whether you attend a class, grind on the elliptical, or take a long walk, by spending an hour working on your fitness, you are giving your mind, body, and soul a break. It’s tough to find opportunities to exercise while fully employed, so appreciate and take advantage of this time. As a result, you will reap physical benefits – work hard to look good!

My Mega Tip: Watching TV during the day is off-limits because it’s a slippery slope. BUT, I’m allowed to watch whatever I want at the gym…especially the trashiest TV possible. Therefore, if you’re dying to see what those frisky Housewives are up to, get to the gym and find out.

3. Go Outside and Take a Walk

girl walking on boardwalk to beat job search blues — Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

If you’re keeping regular office hours for a job search (highly advisable), assign time on your calendar to go outside and take a walk. Even if it’s for 10 minutes, stroll around the block and clear your head.

I listen to motivational podcasts and walk my dog for 2 miles each day. It gives me an excuse to get out of the house and enjoy some entertainment, without feeling guilty. You can also use this time to chat with friends, brainstorm, or just appreciate the outdoors and nature. In particular, getting outside is especially important if you’re starting to feel very low and frustrated — fresh air always makes you feel better.

Listen Up 🎧

4. Reconnect With Your Network

two women sitting in swings talking to beat job search blues — Photo by Bewakoof.com Official on Unsplash

Reach Out & Touch Someone

Job searching can get very lonely. You sit alone, plugging away at the computer for hours on end, so it’s easy to feel isolated and out of touch from your network. Therefore, it’s imperative to reach out regularly to people who can distract you, offer helpful advice, or just be a supportive listener.

Over the last few months, I’ve contacted old bosses, coworkers, and friends in other cities, and pretty much anyone I haven’t talked to in awhile. I’m not a phone person but after each one of these calls, I’ve hung up feeling 1000x better. Your network is there to support and encourage you. Furthermore, it’s an ego boost to be reminded by colleagues about how great you are and how you can do anything!!

Put Yourself Top Of Mind

Beyond just reconnecting with people who build you up, it’s a smart move to get your name out there and put yourself top of mind for people. Your long-lost friend in Albequerque might know someone who works at a company you’re interested in and can make the connection. Or, your old boss may have turned down a job that he’s overqualified for, but you’d be a perfect fit.

My Mega Tip: People who care about you are rooting for you. Thus, it feels really good to hear their encouragement and support…you just have to reach out and ask for it.

5. Talk To A Professional

sign saying "it is well" — Photo by Corinne Kutz on Unsplash

I’m a fan of therapy, in general. I think everyone should see a therapist because it gives you a chance to talk to someone who doesn’t have any agenda. They have zero feelings for you. You are literally paying them to sit there and listen. I always feel 20-lbs lighter when I leave my therapist’s office because I’ve unburdened myself, in a 50-minute diatribe, without being interrupted. It’s pure bliss.

The job search blues are an amalgamation of heavy feelings — unworthiness, fear, frustration and especially rejection. Sure, you can lean on your network of friends and family to build you up, but seeing a therapist for ancillary support will give you coping techniques to help bolster your day-to-day mood. Plus, they will never get tired of listening to you complain or whine or repeat yourself ad nauseum…as long as you’re paying them to.

My Mega Tip: If you are feeling listless, apathetic, unmotivated, and/or emotional for days on end, you may be heading into depression territory. Gut-check if you have these signs of depression. Then, get professional help ASAP.

6. Learn A New Skill

fried eggs on a plate — Photo by Mae Mu on Unsplash

To beat the job search blues, you don’t need to learn Mandarin, web design, or how to make Baked Alaska (though, if you do, mad respect bro) but you should challenge yourself to take on a new skill. Learning something is an easy, effective way to get a much-needed jolt of accomplishment and productivity.

For instance, while on a break from reading job posts, I learned how to make the perfect medium-boiled egg. I watched YouTube, practiced every day, and now have the ability to produce a flawless gelatinous yolk…perhaps the best eggs in the entire world. I also learned how to use WordPress to create this blog you’re reading. I took some SEO/SEM courses. I joined my local Toastmasters to get better at public speaking. I studied machine learning on Coursera. I got certified in Google Analytics. I taught my dog how to beg, shake, and spin. I’m slowly working on my high-school level French via Duolingo (tres bien, oui?)

The best part? All of this learning and development was FREE.

Educate Yo’self!

Expand your skills and tap into all of the resources available —
Business: CheatSheets (get better at Excel!); Google Academy; Coursera courses; LinkedIn courses; TED Talks
Cooking: Tasty Presents (how to make perfect eggs!); Tastemade
Multimedia: Digital Photography School (love their articles); lookgoodinphotos on TikTok; How to Use Lightroom; How to Edit Movies in iMovie

Health / Wellness: How to Meditate; CPR Training; Tank Top Arms Workout
Languages / Public Speaking: Duolingo; Memrise; Toastmasters
Home Improvement: DIY Shiplap; Interior Design tips
Hair / Makeup Tutorials: MattLovesHair; AliAndreaMakeup; ChrisAppletonHair; JustClassicallyCassidy; KellyStrack (drugstore makeup dupes!)
Learn How To Do Anything on YouTube or TikTok:
dog training
crack your back
calligraphy
contour your face
meditation 101
emily mariko salmon or make chick-fil-a chicken at home
make an expensive looking bowl
install wood floors
(Sidenote: you could lose yourself for entire days going down rabbit holes on YT so be careful here. Stay productive!!!!)

My Mega Tip: As you complete these new skills and certifications, you can add them to your resume, though I don’t think a prospective employer will care that you learned the perfect cat-eye or push-up. (though, I do care and am SO IMPRESSED. Gold star for you!!!)

7. Take Mental Health Breaks

woman hugging dog to beat job search blues — Photo by Wade Austin Ellis on Unsplash

Throughout the week, take some time for your mental health and give yourself a break.

Meditate. Snuggle with your pet. Read a magazine or book. Write in a journal. Finally learn all the lyrics to your favorite song (still working on this one). Look through photos. Take a long shower or bath. Shoot hoops. Work on a puzzle. Try to speak in a foreign accent (start by saying “rise up lights”. You’ll sound like you’re saying “razor blades” in a flawless Aussie accent). Drink some sparkling water. Make a doctor’s appt. Take some silly selfies. Sketch the human form (good luck!). Scrub your toilet. Go for a bike ride. Work on your cartwheel. Eat some blueberries. Try to do the Thriller dance. Pop a pimple. Wash your sheets. Or, all of the above.

The point is — get up, get away from the computer, and go do something. Not social media. Not reading articles online. Not watching TV or videos. Not playing with TikTok filters (although that can be fun too). Just do something that will make you feel good (it’s watching animal videos for me).

My Mega Tip: All things considered, mental health breaks are essential to keeping you sane and motivated.

8. Plan Something Fun To Look Forward To

woman riding bicycle in park to beat job search blues — Photo by Blubel on Unsplash

By scheduling a future activity or getaway, the anticipation build-up will motivate you through the job search drudgery and give you something to work towards.

Get Outta Town

For instance, plan a weekend trip to a fun destination (helpful packing list here). Visit a friend or take a roadtrip to a city you’ve never been to in your state…the world is your oyster. Take advantage of this free time because once you are gainfully employed, your freedom will be limited.

Explore Your Local Scene

If budget is an issue, there are lots of affordable (or free!) options. Take a picnic lunch to a local park or beach and spend the afternoon reading. Roadtrip somewhere within two hours of your home city and play tourist for the day. Look up events in your hometown — discount days for museums, Groupon discounts, search Google to find free yoga or bootcamp classes, attend a Meetup for one of your interests (they have all sorts!). Go for a long bike ride and explore your neighborhood. Meet a good friend or your significant other for a fun lunch. Go to an afternoon movie (AMC offers reduced ticket prices on Tuesdays!). Join a book club. Set up a potluck supper for a group of friends. Go to a local sporting event (minor league baseball teams, soccer, college or high-school level).

My Mega Tip: Bottom line — put something in your calendar to look forward to. When the weeks drag on and time seems elastic, seeing that one bright spot on the calendar will help get you through the rough days.

9. Eat Healthy [or at least try to!]

colorful food on toasts — Photo by OLA Mishchenko on Unsplash

This is hard. You will probably be tempted to snack or graze all day long, out of boredom, procrastination, convenience, seeking comfort or even using food as a reward. ‘I’ve job searched for 3 hours straight. I deserve this bowl of ice cream!!!!’

The problem is, when you’re “rewarding yourself” with a bowl of ice cream + bag of chips + handful of nuts + Reese’s peanut butter cups + can of soda + bowl of cereal…etc., you will start to gain weight, which will only make you feel worse. Using food as a reward can be an effective technique but only for necessary, scheduled breaks, like lunchtime or a singular afternoon snack.

When you start to aimlessly head over to the kitchen, take a moment and ask yourself, “am I feeling bored/idle/uncomfortable/frustrated/needy/overwhelmed or even just thirsty?” If you answer ‘yes’ to any of these, grab some nice cold ice water and keep on walkin’. Don’t eat your feelings, people. (at least not all day long. Once in awhile is OK. I understand your pain.)

Prepare For A Snack-Attack

My Mega Tip: My favorite healthy-ish snacks:

PB powder & apple slices
Avocado (or guac) + rice cake + lemon + Trader Joe’s Everything But The Bagel salt + splash of hot sauce (Crystal with garlic is my fave!)
Sliced tomato with muffaletta olive salad
Spinach artichoke dip & celery sticks (the one from Costco is THE BEST!)
Chocolate hummus and/or peanut butter & banana (@TX peeps, the hummus from H-E-B is amazing)
Half of a vanilla protein shake or One bar (chocolate chip cookie dough is my fave)
Turkey rollup with cheese and mustard
Louisville Vegan Jerky (I am not vegan but holy cow, this jerky is good. No pun intended.)
Carrot sticks
Cherry lime La Croix with 3-5 maraschino cherries & splash of cherry juice (this satisfies your sweet craving in a BIG way)
Buffalo cauliflower (recipe)
Unsalted almonds
Cup of yogurt with blueberries, granola, and light agave nectar
Tuna + sliced green olives + lemon + salt/pepper + sriracha and these magical crackers which taste like tortilla chips. (sidenote: why is Sriracha still so hard to find!?!?)

10. Maintain Your Perspective…and Keep Your Sense Of Humor

girl laughing against colorful wall to beat job search blues — Photo by Tyler Nix on Unsplash

Keep Yourself In Check

Look, it’s easy to lose your way when you’ve got the job search blues. You feel frustrated, isolated and rejected, often on a daily basis. The best panacea for this is to keep everything in perspective. Yes, you may be conducting a fruitless, painful search every day. However, you will get through this. You will find a job. You will earn a paycheck again. Stay the course and everything will be fine.

To help put things in perspective, take some time to volunteer — at a local animal shelter, senior living center, school (be a lunch lady/man!), organization, church, or soup kitchen. By giving your time to help someone else, you’ll feel better about yourself and your current situation. Plus, if you make it a regular thing, you can look forward to these breaks in your schedule where you can do a productive good deed.

Don’t Forget the LOLs

But above everything else…you must keep your sense of humor. Droll job postings are pretty much the opposite of funny. But, laughter can be an awesome stress reliever, so find those giggles wherever you can! My favorite example is when I received a “personalized” Indeed.com job alert to be a Chick-Fil-A cow mascot at a local restaurant. I’m pretty sure the Indeed algorithm read my resume incorrectly, but it gave me a good laugh as I immediately screen-capped the email and sent widely to my friends and family. (sidenote: I’m still considering the position as a side hustle, because…free nuggets!!).

My Mega Tip: Seek out funny people, entertainment and moments to keep your spirits up and beat those job search blues.

Keep those job search blues away!

Hopefully you’ve found some ways to help you cope with the job search blues and stay motivated. If you’re so inclined, please leave any additional tips or ideas in the comments! Or, LMK if you have a good podcast reco. I’m always looking for more!

*Some of the links in this post are affiliate links which means that if you buy through the link you support the site at no extra cost to you. All reviews and suggested items are items I have used and loved and am now singing from the rooftops about.

How To Sell Your Clothes – Part 1: Organizing to Sell in 5 Steps

Selling your clothes can be super overwhelming and time-consuming but it’s arguably the category where you have the highest volume of items. There are several methods for how to sell your clothes, from online sales to local apps to social media to yard sales, and I’ve done them all.

I made over $1500 selling my clothes in an effort to thin my closet and make some money to travel the world..even before Marie Kondo told me to.

Part 1 of this series will teach you how to [ruthlessly] edit your closet and prepare to sell your clothes. Let the fun begin!

STEP ONE: FIRST PASS –

Do a first pass of your closet. You’re not getting ruthless quite yet, but start to take out items that fall into the following categories:

You haven’t worn it in years. Seriously, there’s a 0.001% chance that you will. It’s gathering dust for a reason. Pitch it.
The item is damaged and not worth fixing. Does it have holes? Is it stretched out? Did it shrink or color fade in the wash? Is the zipper broken? If you’re not going to take it to a professional and pay to fix it, remove it from your closet.
The item is not properly sized. I understand the concept of wanting to keep “fat clothes” or your “skinny wardrobe”. I think everyone does. However, these dual wardrobes are cluttering up your space and life.

Perhaps keep one pair of “fat jeans”…but you know you’re just going to buy more stuff when/if that time comes.

The reverse is even more true for skinny clothes — if you lose the stubborn weight, you can bet your svelte little fanny you’re going to buy a whole new wardrobe to show off your hard work.

My Mega Tip: don’t keep two wardrobes. Keep the clothes you’re wearing now, and only now.
It’s out of style. Maybe you bought a bunch of trendy fast fashion items the last few years. It’s fine to keep wearing them but we both know that style has moved on. So if you don’t foresee yourself wearing the item within the next year, say, “We had a fantastic time together during the summer of 2017; thank you for your service.” and then move on. Girl, bye.

Take a moment. Breathe. You’ve completed the first step. Yay! On to STEP TWO.

STEP TWO: CAST A CRITICAL EYE –

Now, cast a critical eye over this batch.
What is worthy of the effort it takes to sell?

Usually, this would be:

Designer items – Banana Republic/ZARA/Nordstrom-level and up. Do not bother with Old Navy, H&M, or items of that ilk.
Shoes – footwear valued $50 or more, gently used.
Dresses – casual cute through formal. Dresses sell well.
Jewelry/Purses – brand names (Marc Jacobs, Kendra Scott) or valuable items sell easily but people will buy cheap ones too, if they’re interesting or unique (and priced to sell).
Coats/Jackets – must be in good shape. No loose buttons, stains, rips, broken zippers, etc.
Jeans – designer jeans are easier to sell but you can get away with GAP, Abercrombie or Old Navy-level as well.

woman dressed in medieval costume — *She might have trouble selling this item*

Things that do not sell well for individual sales:

Anything fast fashion – Old Navy, H&M, Forever 21, Target, et al. People know you didn’t pay much, so they won’t either. Save these for yard sales or donations.
Skirts – for some reason, these were harder to sell than anticipated.
Costumes – I had accumulated quite a few over the years but they did not sell.

Once you’ve completed the first pass and cast a critical eye, move all of these items to another closet or box them away.

Leave them there for two weeks or so and see if you miss anything or begin second-guessing a particular item.

My Mega Tip: if you keep thinking about an item, pull it out and put it back in your closet for a probationary period of 3 months. If you haven’t worn it by then, time’s up.

When you’re ready, move on to STEP THREE.

woman looking through colorful print shirts hanging on a rack — *Get medieval on those print shirts*

STEP THREE: ONE MORE TIME –

Wait until you’re in a brutal mood. We all have them from time to time – when you’re sick of your clothes, sick of carrying all this STUFF from place to place, and you want to be more minimalistic. These moods are golden and YOU MUST ACT when they arise.

Go into your closet ONE MORE TIME and get medieval.

This is where you employ the one-two punch of KonMari + the Minimalists. Ask yourself:

Does this item bring me joy? Look, not every item is going to inspire cartwheels and back flips, but if it just feels “meh”…put it to the side.

Am I holding onto this because of sentimentality? If the answer is yes, hold it in your hands, remember how much fun you had while wearing it or how it made you feel once upon a time. Really remember. Then, thank the item OUT LOUD (like a crazy person), and put it to the side.

That sparkly dress you wore for your 21st birthday party…10 years ago? Let someone else spill their martini on it.

The artfully ripped jeans you used to wear on dates [and now you’re married]? Set them free.

The tailored pantsuit you wore to job interviews [and never again]? Pass the good luck on.
Am I holding onto this for a specific occasion that has yet to arrive? I found this to be true for dresses and shoes. If an occasion has not arisen in the last few years, you’re better off selling for cash. Put it to the side.
Am I holding onto this because it was it expensive and/or is unworn with tags? Great! These are the easiest things to sell! Convert that item currently taking up space into some cold, hard cash.

Now, go through your cast off boxes and sort into 3 categories –

TO SELL – these are your higher-value items, usually anything worth $50 or more, with the exception of jeans, dresses, and purses.
YARD SALE – these are your Old Navy/Gap/Target/H&M/Banana Republic/F21/Zara items. You will be selling them for $4 or less so judge accordingly.
TO DONATE – everything else.

STEP FOUR: QUALITY CONTROL –

Put the “Yard Sale” and “To Donate” boxes aside.

Go through your “To Sell” items very carefully and inspect them one-by-one,. Look for tears, stains, rips, holes, pilling, spots, etc.

If you find something that’s fixable, repair it.
If it’s a lost cause (as I had with a faded and stained DVF dress), move it to one of the other boxes.
If it’s a minor flaw, make a note of it. You’ll need to disclose this in your selling description.

STEP FIVE: PAT YOURSELF ON THE BACK –

You did it. The hard part is over.

Editing your closet is the hardest part of this whole process. It can be very difficult to separate yourself from clothing, as they’re part of our identity and how we present ourselves to the world. Clothing can remind us of some really good times – when we were young, skinny, on a fabulous vacation, or celebrating – or they can evoke feelings of who we want to be – successful, worthy, sexy, warm, comfortable.

But, getting down to brass tacks…it’s just stuff. And it’s stuff that’s cluttering your closet and life. Get rid of the old in order to make room for yourself…and earn some dolla’-dolla’ bills while you’re at it.

You survived the edit, organized like a champ and are ready for Part 2 – Setting Up The Sale.

How To Support Someone Who Is Looking For A Job

Looking for a job is hard. And sometimes, knowing how to support someone who is looking for a job is even harder. It’s tricky to strike the balance between being a supportive cheerleader and a well-intentioned, overbearing nuisance. Here are some ideas for how you can help a Job Seeker get through this difficult time and find their dream job.

Show up. Listen. Support. (repeat, repeat, repeat)

two friends riding on bikes during sunset to provide support — Photo by Everton Vila on Unsplash

Your Job Seeker is having all the feels at the moment. They might feel rejected, sad, lonely, unsure, doubtful, scared, and a lot of other intense emotions…often at the same time. They may want to talk about it, and they may not. Either way, show up. Let them know you’re there, if they need to talk it out, whenever they’re ready.

If you’re long-distance, make time in your schedule for a marathon phone or FaceTime catch-up session. The Job Seeker will appreciate the distraction and a serotonin boost from chatting with a familiar face.

If you live in the same area, make plans to sync up. It can be very therapeutic to talk things through, especially if there was a difficult release from their prior employment. Plus, the Job Seeker needs an outlet to vent their frustrations and work through how they’re feeling about their future. Draw them out, let them talk, and, most of all, LISTEN with a sympathetic ear.

Communicate & Commiserate

Check In, But Don’t Harp

Otter opening mouth and baring teeth. Show support to someone looking for a job but without being a nuisance. — Photo by Jason Hafso on Unsplash

Checking in intermittently with a Job Seeker is key; it lets them know you’re there for support. But, make sure you’re approaching it the right way.

Most likely, your Job Seeker has a wide support network of friends, family, work colleagues, etc. Consider the possibility that if each of those people sends your Job Seeker a text like, “What’s the latest with the job search????” or “Got any nibbles yet????” or “Any interviews scheduled????”, on a regular basis, the Job Seeker can feel embattled, like they have 438493794739 bosses they need to report their status to.

Not to mention — if they’re trying to do something else to distract themselves (some good suggestions here!), fielding an update request lands them right back into a frustrated mindset, especially during weekend or after-hours when they’re likely trying to destress.

Listen, I know your intentions are good. But the truth is, the Job Seeker is probably a little more sensitive right now and likely to feel hyper-conscious. Give them a break and try to put yourself in their shoes…especially if you’ve worn those shoes before and remember how hard and frustrating the process is.

Laughter Is The Best Support

View post on imgur.com

A better alternative is to send a message to keep their spirits up — perhaps a funny gif, video, or picture, and/or a motivational message like, “Hope you’re having a great day and finding the best job EVER. I know the right thing is out there for you and I’m cheering you on every step of the way.” Or even just a simple “Thinking about you and sending you a long distance high-five. You got this!”

Speak in your voice and share something uplifting that will resonate with your Job Seeker. The goal is to give them a bump of support and let them know you’ve got their back.

Offer Your Talents and Assistance

Share Your Experiences

two people sitting on a dock - Provide support to a job seeker by sharing your own experiences — Image by pasja1000 from Pixabay

These days, it’s common to have a job-loss story of your own, or at least from someone you know. Have you ever been laid off? Did you once job search for six months before you found the right fit? Did you ever bomb a job interview? By sharing these experiences, you’re letting the Job Seeker know they are not alone, it’s happened to the best of us, and they will get through it.

Show empathy and share your anecdotes about how a disappointment led to a better opportunity and how you learned from the experience. Your survival story and commiseration will be very meaningful and resonant to someone who’s in the thick of it.

Review Their Resume, LinkedIn Profile, and/or Portfolio

two hands pointing at computer screen. Provide support to a job seeker by helping them with their resume. — Photo by Jason Hafso on Unsplash

If you’re experienced within your Job Seeker’s industry, or if you’re just word-savvy, offer to give their resume or LinkedIn profile a review. Check for spelling and grammar mistakes (tip: it helps to read it backwards!), look for formatting errors, and point out any missing information. Give it a careful read and make helpful, constructive suggestions that could plus-up their documents and help them get noticed, or at least past those pesky ATS bots.

When someone is looking for a job, they have probably tweaked their resume 4,790 times (and counting). It is nearly impossible for them to look at it objectively anymore; you will see things they can’t. Share what you see first, where your eyes jump on the page, and what sections are difficult to read. Does the resume convey their breadth and depth of experience? Does it include quantitative, measurable information to show how they grew/saved/managed/sold/created for a company? Cast a critical (but helpful!) eye and make that resume shine.

Share Your Goodies

woman in sunglasses offering leaf to viewer — Photo by Mert Guller on Unsplash

Offer to share your resume, cover letter and standout thank you notes for inspiration or even straight-up plagiarism. Even if the Job Seeker gets a few good “action words” or phrases (e.g. enabled, collaborated, data-driven, acumen), any little bit helps, especially if their resume could use some sprucing up.

Cover letters and thank you notes should be tailored to each job and, thus, can be a huge time-suck. By sharing your documents, the Job Seeker can have more variety to choose from when crafting their correspondence to make a good impression on a potential employer. When they’re under pressure to write THE BEST COVER LETTER EVER for a job they really want, it is *super helpful* to use someone’s template or borrow a few powerful keyphrases.

Role Play

two men sitting at a table practicing interviewing — Photo by LinkedIn Sales Navigator on Unsplash

Offer to practice interviewing. This can be especially helpful if your Job Seeker has been out of the job search for awhile and needs to brush up on their interview skills. Role playing with you as the interviewer allows them to practice their situational stories and get their STAR interview response technique down pat.

They can polish their answers for the dreaded, “what are your strengths and weaknesses?”, or “tell me about a time when you failed”, and the inevitable end-of-the-interview question, “Sooooo…do you have any questions for us?”. And, most importantly, they can get comfortable humble-bragging about themselves and how they once saved their prior company, like, $10 billion dollars. NBD.

Take Them Out For A Treat

Take your Job Seeker out for a treat – ice cream, coffee, drinks, dinner, movie, a round of golf, whatever – and don’t let them pay…even when they offer. They’re just trying to be nice — don’t let them.

You’re earning a paycheck right now, they’re not. Just consider it a benevolent gift and quality time spent. Plus, they’ll probably return the favor once they’re gainfully employed again.

In the meantime, you’ve been a bright spot in their week and made them feel good. Be the generous, lovely person you are and treat someone who may be feeling low.

Be A Hype Man (Or Woman)

Coffee Talk

woman in striped shirt having coffee with man — Image by Rachel Scott from Pixabay

Check if there’s anyone within your network you could connect your Job Seeker with. Even if a potential job is not available, informational interviews over a cup of coffee can help the Job Seeker learn more about a company or job function and get their name out there.

You can also facilitate a simple intro on LinkedIn to connect someone you know at a company your Job Seeker is interested in. It’s easy to do, takes 5 minutes, and can give them an edge amongst the other applicants vying for attention.

Since 70% of jobs are found through networking, by connecting the Job Seeker with someone in your network, you’re giving them a better shot at finding something permanent.

Build Them Up (Buttercup)

young man wearing sunglasses offering a fist bump — Photo by Slim Emcee (UG) the poet Truth_From_Africa_Photography on Unsplash

If you are a former colleague of your Job Seeker, take a moment to share your thoughts about their job performance. Remind them of how they went above and beyond to help you on a project, or when they taught you how to improve your negotiation skills, or how they’re a really strong writer.

Everyone likes to hear praise, but Job Seekers reallllllly need to be reminded, especially when facing frequent judgment and rejection during the job search. So, tell them how awesome you think they are (the more specific, the better) and let them bask in the warmth of those compliments for a few days.

Be A Taskmaster

two people cooking. Cutting lettuce, tomatoes and avocados. — Photo by Maarten van den Heuvel on Unsplash

Ask your Job Seeker for help doing a task they’re good at, or might really enjoy. When job searching, you can start to feel a bit inadequate. By asking your Job Seeker for assistance, the halo effect can benefit you both — they are empowered to accomplish a challenge and you get to reap the benefits.

Perhaps ask them to: organize your closet; cook a delicious dish; repair something in your house; teach you how to use Instagram; help fix a computer or electronics issue; design a custom workout routine; create an awesome playlist; or put together an itinerary for an upcoming family vacation. In effect, you will help them flex their “work skills” and channel their energies into something really productive and beneficial to both of you.

Offer A Welcome Distraction

two people hanging on side of the pool. Only feet are visible — Photo by Joe Pizzio on Unsplash

When job searching, it is common for a Job Seeker to feel isolated and alone. They are probably spending large amounts of time reviewing endless job descriptions, working on various cover letters or applications, and/or following up with contacts and recruiters.

So, offer yourself as a fun distraction. The absolute best way to support someone looking for a job is to spend quality time together. Giving someone your time and attention will divert them from the day-to-day doldrums and make them feel lighter and happier.

Take a walk together outside, meet at a local park for a picnic lunch, bring dinner over, have a play date with your kids (or dogs!) or just the two of you. It doesn’t have to be extravagant (a long, gossipy walk is free!), but again, don’t let them pay for anything. The point is to spend quality time, connect with someone you care about, and get their mind off their troubles.

Celebrate Their Victories

And finally, FINALLY, when at long last, your Job Seeker secures that shiny new dream job that totally completes them in every way, take them out to celebrate.

Your Job Seeker has made it through the unstable, demoralizing, scary, icky job search, and you were their unwavering support all along the way.

Now celebrate!!

20 Easy Items To Pack To Solo Travel The World

I’ve solo traveled the world and carried everything I own in my 40-liter suitcase/backpack and 15-liter daypack. When you’re schlepping all your stuff on your back (and front!), it’s very easy to figure out what is essential to pack, and what is dead weight.

So, if you’re planning to travel the world solo, here are 20 easy items to pack that will keep you organized, safe, and looking great.

1. Osprey 40L Farpoint Backpack

I’ll be honest. When this bag first arrived, I panicked. How the $#% was I going to fit my whole life into this thing!?! But, it’s deceptively bigger than it looks, in a Mary Poppins kind of way.

If you use packing cubes (spoiler alert: also an MVP), it’ll be easy peasy for you to pack all the items I’ve listed here into this bag and still have room for more. It is simply a durable, comfortable, easy-to-handle bag. Plus, it’s just small enough to wedge into overhead compartments of trains and technically qualifies as a carryon for most airlines (even some of the super budget airlines in Europe).

2. Vapur Element Waterbottle — 1 L

I drink A LOT of water. I considered getting a Stanley because they’re so hot right now (I love this green one!), but I chose function over fashion, especially since Stanleys can be heavy and cumbersome.

This Vapur waterbottle is my trusty companion, hanging off my backpack loop wherever I go. It has a secure top with wide opening, holds 1-liter of water, and is super fun to squeeze and squoosh when you’re bored. I fill it up at restaurants, coffee shops, and water fountains that look somewhat sanitary to stay hydrated, without having to spend any $$$.

I do not stay thirsty, my friends.

3. Travel Adapter

If you’re traveling outside your home country, you need to pack an adapter. This one has 4 USB ports, a plug, and I’ve successfully used it in Europe, Asia, Africa, as well as the US.

I’m sure there are ones with more bells and whistles, but this one is lightweight, compact and does the trick.

4. Kindle Paperwhite

This may be my favorite item to pack for solo travel. I am an avid reader and there is plenty of time to read books, as you’re waiting at the airport, traveling by train, or eating by yourself at a restaurant.

The Kindle is small, easy to carry and can be used in any environment, including bright and sunny beaches.

My Mega Tip: utilize your local library and download ebooks or audiobooks remotely via Libby. This saved me TONS of money! Most libraries use the Libby system which allows you to check out books via Kindle for FREE!

5. PacSafe 15L Backpack

This is a perfectly-sized day pack for solo travel and can carry an enormous amount of stuff. Plus, it has loads of theft deterrent features including:
• stainless steel wire mesh embedded into fabric to prevent “slash and run” attempts where thieves ride by on motorbikes and slash your bag (sidenote – I never actually met anyone who experienced this but I read plenty of stories online, including one where they sliced part of a girl’s finger off because she was holding her bag. eek!)
• lockable zippers – this helped me feel much more secure in crowds. Thieves can easily unzip unsuspecting tourists’ backpacks. While this isn’t TOTALLY foolproof, it makes it a lot harder for sticky hands.
• RFID safe pocket to block IDs and credit cards from hacker scanning. Better safe than sorry.

My Mega Tip: I also LOVE of Beis’ stuff. I have their Weekender and Backpack in black. All of their bags are great — my friend even uses their Ultimate Diaper Backpack (with detachable fanny pack) as her work bag!

6. Columbia Arcadia II Rainjacket

Ahh, this jacket is my ultimate MVP. I wore this in all kinds of different weather conditions – blustery winds in London, sudden rainshowers in Thailand, and freezing cold nights in Nuremberg, Germany.

Breathable fabric, ventilation, large hood, zip pockets, and works well with layers. It never makes you feel suffocated and sweaty like a lot of other raincoats.

My Mega Tip: Mine is shade Red Camellia, the one bright spot in my (mostly neutral toned) capsule wardrobe. I love how it pops in all my pictures. I researched a lot of travel jackets and would only recommend this one or Marmot.

7. “Boobs McGee” Sleeping Mask

This sleeping mask has boobs. But it also has so many wonderful benefits – it fits comfortably snug, gives your eyelashes space to blink comfortably, and best of all, shuts all light out.

I used this on planes/trains/automobiles and countless hotel/hostel/Airbnb rooms to get some well-needed shuteye. Plus they’re fun to squeeze and play “Tune-in Tokyo” with when you’re bored.

8. Leggings

@Ladies, do not pack jeans for longterm solo travel. @Men – you may have no choice, but Ladies, you do. Jeans are bulky and heavy and the absolute worst thing to be wearing in the rain. Your best bet is a pair (or two!) of black leggings.

I wore black leggings every.single.day in Europe and they worked with everything. You can dress them up with a pair of booties, or rock a more athletic look with your trainers. Mine were from Nordstrom but I love these Spanx ones too. Or these, which are a Lulu dupe. Just remember: do not pack jeans — they are not worth it.

9. Packing Cubes

You need these. You really, really need these. One of the most important edicts of longterm travel is everything has its place. Otherwise, you will drive yourself insane trying to find stuff or constantly repacking.

These packing cubes keep your stuff organized. I used a smallish cube for underwear/socks/bras/bathing suits and a medium-sized for rolled-up clothing (note: pants should be folded, not rolled. ). Smaller bags can be used for medicinal items, makeup, chargers/cords, and a catchall for random stuff.

Basically, your backpack or suitcase should be an assortment of bags so that you can easily find items and be able to pack up and go quickly. Also, they keep you honest about how much room you have in your bag.

My Mega Tip: employ the one in, one out rule — if you buy a shirt, you must get rid of one so your packing cube will zip up.

10. Noise-Canceling Headphones

These are a bit of a splurge but you cannot put a price on your sanity. When your hostel roomie is snoring logs or a baby is wailing her poor eyes out next to you on an airplane, you will be grateful to have these. Plus, one of my favorite traveling pleasures is to sit comfortably in a train window seat, listening to a favorite playlist or podcast and watch the world go by. The only risk is missing your train stop because you didn’t hear the announcement!

My Mega Tip: only use these when you are in a safe environment. Not recommended for street use or short train rides or you will miss your stop.

11. Waterproof Ankle Booties

These are comfy enough to wear all day (even while rocking a dirndl at Oktoberfest), in the rain (since they’re waterproof), or when you need to feel a little more feminine. Slip these on to feel taller and dressier. Most importantly, you can wear them anywhere because they’re waterproof.

They look good with pretty much anything so your capsule wardrobe is kept intact.

My Mega Tip: wear with black socks. I wore them out to a club in Prague and got mercilessly teased by the young people for my blaringly white socks shining in the black light. 😳

12. Smartphone Wrist Strap

I know for a fact that I never lost my phone (or dropped it into various bodies of water) solely because of this item. It hangs securely from your wrist so you.never.put.it.down on the bathroom counter, store shelf, train seat, or 10,000 other surfaces.

Plus, it helps you feel secure from a snatch-and-grab situation. The culprits would need to cut off your hand to get your phone. Possible? Sure, but it’s a lot more difficult versus someone who’s untethered. So, this wrist strap also saves your life and appendages.

13. Luggage Locks

When you solo travel, you need to pack items that make you feel safe – especially when you can’t always keep an eye on your stuff and don’t have anyone else to watch for you!

Thankfully, these locks provide an extra layer of security for your belongings and better peace of mind for you. You can use them to lock up your passport and valuables inside your suitcase in the hotel room (never, ever bring your passport out with you!) or secure your assigned locker at a hostel.

If I was out and about and found myself in a crowded and/or dodgy situation, like the metro in Paris, I would affix one of these to my backpack zippers to prevent pickpockets. I also used these on all flights and train travel, especially when my bag was out of sight. The only requirement is to remember your own passcode.

14. Travel Towel

This microfiber towel is so versatile – you can use it in lieu of the teeny, tiny towels provided in European hotels and it does double-duty as a compact beach towel. I got the Medium 28×56-inch, which was big enough to wrap around my entire body, and yet, it can be rolled up into a netted bag the size of a croissant.

You can also use as a makeshift blanket while riding in vans with aggressive A/C or as a germ protectant from dodgy seats or mattresses (I’m a recovering germaphobe, but sometimes I still have to draw the line).

15. Portable Charger

A portable charger saved me so many times from disaster. This one can charge your phone, camera, reading device, computer or even other chargers!!!

Above all, make sure the charger is always charged…so that it can charge.

My Mega Tip: this charger also helps you make friends by being the generous traveler in the room who can charge everyone else’s device. 🙂

16. Selfie Stick/Tripod

If you solo travel, you must pack this. Yes, you will get side-eye looks sometimes, but honestly, who cares, as long as you get the pic.

This is the best selfie stick out there. I saw so many different kinds, especially in Asia, and mine was superior in every way.

It feels sturdy enough to ensure your device or camera is safe, even when you’re dangling over a cliff’s edge in Malaysia. It extends to 49″ so you can get a wider shot of the background and your smiling face.

It also has a remote so you can discreetly take pics without contorting into strange positions. In short, it simply ticks all boxes. I unabashedly love this selfie stick. Just don’t bring to a Disney park because they’ll confiscate it!

My Mega Tip: The sturdy handle allows for better control so you can take steady pics — outdoors, indoors, or extending over heads in a crowd to get an interesting shot. As a bonus, it functions as a tripod as well!

17. Sandals

Unless you are headed to Norway during the dead of winter or Antarctica, you should pack a pair of trusty sandals. They’re useful as buffers in gross showers or hotel rooms, or just walking around when it’s hot outside. If you’re headed to SE Asia, they’ll become your primary shoe, as everyone there wears sandals or flip flops 24/7.

18. Fake Wedding Ring

As a solo female traveler, a fake ring helps to ward off any unwanted attention. You can tell when someone is focusing on you and this ring gives you an ‘out’ if they approach. You can always switch fingers or leave it at the hotel if you’re *looking* for company, but otherwise, the fake ring trick works.

Additionally, there are countries (Egypt) where a married female is more “respected” than a single female because of archaic connotations of being a ‘loose woman’. By wearing a simple [fake] wedding ring, you can more adequately deflect unwanted attention as a single woman in certain areas of the world.

My Mega Tip: have a short backstory ready if someone asks where your husband/fiancé/boyfriend is. Or, just deflect attention away by ignoring their probe and asking them a question instead. Or, even better, just ignore them!!

You don’t owe anyone information. NOTHING. You don’t have to divulge where you’re staying, if you’re traveling alone, how long you’re in the city for, etc. Go ahead and share if it seems OK, but if a skeezy person rolls up on you while you’re trying to enjoy a site or experience, feel free to lie and move on.

19. Mack’s Earplugs

Earplugs are an ab-so-lute essential, and these are the best. They fit comfortably in your ears (tip: squeeze the end into a point with your fingertips and shove ’em in there) and block out most of the annoying sounds you might encounter on your trip.

My Mega Tip: these are also useful for planes, trains, and automobiles if you want to tune out and enjoy the journey.

20. Bag/Luggage/Jacket Strap

Such a random item but it’s super handy to keep your jacket/coat from flopping around everywhere or dipping into the toilet as you attempt to squat whilst wearing two backpacks. It keeps your stuff out of the way so you can be hands-free to hold your tickets, another bag, or even a beer. 🙂

There are plenty of other items I brought in my handy-dandy Osprey but these are the easy items I’m so glad I packed and couldn’t live without. What are your essentials items to pack for solo travel?