It’s a hard gig…searching for a job. Chances are good you know exactly what I am talking about. Imagine it's 7:30 p.m. and you just finished dinner after a long day of sending out resumes. Then you ask yourself, “What do I have to show for this day?” No one has written back yet. No one has even confirmed they have received your resume (which you HR directors should be doing by the way). In fact, you have nothing to show for the ENTIRE DAY but a whole lot of sent emails, a stressed out stomach, and a lot of bills. Even worse… some of you have lived this “day” for weeks…months now.

Thank you Mr. Recession, you are great.

Well, this is not one of those warm fuzzy feeling-style blog posts where I remind you, “You are stronger for having lived through the challenge.” I mean—you are, but I know and you know, that tomorrow morning when you wake up to another empty inbox, no fortune cookie saying will be enough to keep you from burying your head in your hands.

Well perk up friends, I have a better idea. How about… a list. Yup a list. Not a “You-will-get-a-job-if-you-only-follow-these-904-steps” list.  Not even an “It-could-be-worse-if-this (fill in blank)-was-the-case” list. Nope, how about a “Count Your Blessings (Job Search Style)” list?

Today we are going to take a break from advice and instead I am going to remind you how good you are doing—even if you are still unemployed, and feel no closer than you were six weeks ago. So here are a few reminders…just for you.

Things to remember when you feel like smacking yourself silly after a day of job-searching:

1. You are not alone. In fact the resume you just sent was most likely sent at the exact same time as someone else. You can either see this as hopelessness, or remind yourself that an empty inbox may be less a sign of your skills, and more a sign of the economic times. Its competitive folks. It’s not you. But remember, with that competition comes a rare and unique sense of camraderie. Use it.
2. Look how pretty you are. By “you” I don’t just mean your smile () I also mean your resume. No one wants to start a job search but it does bring with it a resume update, social media profile revamps, and personal site redesigns. So you may not have landed your dream job, but trust me when I say this job search has brought you one step closer. It has given your digital footprint a facelift, and you should pat yourself on the back for your efforts. No really…do it.
    
3. You are so huge on Twitter. Okay maybe not huge, but you have increased your network. Every job search brings it with LinkedIn connections, bold moves, and new friends. Yup, new friends. People that you never knew were out there—interested in the same stuff as you, in the same city. You may not have scored a signing bonus, but I do believe “good people” in your life is a far better currency to bank on.
    
4. You are loved. Surrounded by it, in fact. Bunnies. Ponies. Puppies & rainbows. Okay, that’s an exaggeration, BUT don’t forget how many of your friends have come out of the woodwork to help you land your next job. Maybe these leads have led to “pending interviews” but still…friends have shown their true colors. Only a vulnerable moment—like asking a “do you know of anything that could help me” favor—can remind you how much people care.  And they do.

Okay, okay enough happy moments. I’m tearing up over here. The bottom-line is…finding a new job sucks. I mean seriously sucks. You put yourself out on the line every day, over and over, praying someone bites. Then you wake up to do it all over again.

Well friends, this post is a reminder, that even though the goal may not yet be reached (although it will in time) there are successes to celebrate. You have taken big moves toward new adventures, built new connections, and taken your digital footprint to new heights.

The paycheck will come in time. The secret to getting it is keeping your energies up, and counting your blessings—job search style.

Happy Job Hunting Friends. Hang in there.