Unemployment

As a therapist, I wear many hats. I am a coach, a friend, a parent, a fan, and someone who may have never cared before. Today I was a job coach.

Being jobless in a large city can be frustrating. Lots of postings, lots of resume's to write and deliver, and hopefully lots of interviews. Why do so many get turned away?

Having gone through lots of seminars on gaining employment, they key I've learned has been attitude. When we are desperate for work how does the interviewer feel about the energy we put out? This may be overbearing, wouldn't you think? What a perspective boss is looking for, number one - can the person handle the job? Number two - can they fit into the emotional mix.

Let's face it, a good work environment is ideal for maximum productivity. If an interviewee for a job seems intense, it's not to appealing for overall wellbeing of the work environment. On the other hand, if a person is calm, happy, and apparently intelligent, well they will most likely get the job.

For people who are homeless, have a mental illness, or may even have a learning disablity their only detriment is their attitude. So many mentally ill people judge themselves so badly they have lost any prospective job before they have entered the front door. It doesn't matter what ails you, keeping yourself upbeat is the number one priority. Try these few suggestions.

Create a positive self statement - These are small statements with two to three emotional states you want to experience more fully in your life.

For example: "I am happy, confident, and relaxed."

During your everyday life and especially during job interviews repeat this statement internally to keep you centered and in a positive frame of mind.

I recommend repeating these statements a minimum of one hundred times daily for a minimum six month period to reprogram your thinking patterns.

Be prepared. Research the company. Learn who the owner is, what the company does, and come up with a reason why you want to work there. Of course we all want to make money, but what makes the job rewarding is if it is emotionally fulfilling.

For example: The company Simple Green sells products that are environmentally safe and are great at cleaning. Working for them would feel comforting while making the big bucks.

Do you have any other suggestions?