10 ways to keep motivated and productive when your career is on hold

If you’re searching for a new role right now and feeling a little low in spirits, you’re not alone. Every day we try to balance keeping up with the news with staying sane and positive. We tell ourselves it is important to remain focused and motivated, which is easier said than done when there’s so much uncertainty about the future. 

Looking for a new job can be hard work at the best of times, let alone during an unprecedented global health crisis and the economic hardship that accompanies it. We’re unlikely to wake up to a normal world any time soon, so what activities and strategies can we put in place to keep motivated and productive when your career is on hold? Here’s some top tips from the team at Bramwith. 

Don’t lose sight of your goals 

Things will get better. Life might not return to ‘normal’ but there will come a time when you and your skills will be required again so you need to be in the best position psychologically to get back in the game. Keep your goals and ambitions at the forefront of your mind. They’re important to you for a reason so keep them alive. 

Naturally, you’ll need to balance your aspirations with what’s actually going on in the world, so make sure your dreams continue to be realistic and achievable. If your ideal employer goes bust, don’t despair. Put your energies into researching and identifying other suitable companies and get connecting on LinkedIn. You could even send them a speculative resume. If the kinds of roles you have traditionally gone for are starting to look defunct, think about what you could do to make yourself more marketable in the future. Which brings us neatly onto our next tip… 

Learn a new skill 

What better way to stay motivated than to expand your current skill base or learn something entirely new. Remember all those times on the journey home after a hard day at the office when you promised yourself the opportunity to learn that language or start working towards a diploma? Well, now’s your time. 

Procurement and supply chain professionals benefit from having a wide range of skills, both technical and so-called soft skills such as negotiation and collaboration. Think about the kinds of things that could help enhance your career and find an appropriate course. There’s plenty out there, many of which are free or very affordable. Take a look at our blog on courses to enhance your career to find the right one for you. 

Stick to a routine

Human beings are creatures of habit and many of us thrive in routines. Whether you’re working remotely or currently unemployed, try to set up a schedule to organize your day. Include tasks relating to your job search, particularly ones that involve communication with others, to stop you feeling isolated. Give yourself the breaks that you’d normally have at the office and use these for activities that quite simply make you feel good. Reading, walking, yoga, speaking with friends and family - whatever makes you tick and increases your motivation and sense of wellbeing. 

Reach out to friends and peers

Ambitious professionals are used to working alongside colleagues and peers in a competitive environment. Chances are some of your friends or peers are also struggling with stalled careers. Why not reach out to them and schedule a career-focused workshop or discussion to do with your search or with personal development in general. This could involve practicing interview skills, reviewing one another’s resumes or having a debate about a current topic relating to the business world. Though maybe steer clear of the current economic situation - you could probably do with a break from all of this, after all! Inspire one another to improve and keep going. Aside from the positive effects on your own wellbeing, it’ll make you feel great knowing you’ve helped others out, too. 

Stay connected 

While it’s highly unlikely you’ll be enjoying face-to-face networking opportunities any time soon, there’s plenty you can do to put your name out there while things are quiet. If you have a LinkedIn page (and if you don’t, get on that straight away!) give it a refresh. Make sure your skills and achievements are promoted and prioritized well and that you have a good number of recommendations from colleagues, from current or previous roles. Review your connections and target any companies or individuals who can help you in your search, including a short cover letter to start the conversation. Join some discussion groups and share learning with others. We’re lucky to have the technology to ease the negative impacts of isolation so let’s use it well. 

We hope these tips have helped you find ways to keep motivated and productive when your career is on hold. It’s a challenging time for all of us but staying busy and positive is the key to keeping well in both body and mind. At Bramwith, we are committed to staying in touch with all our clients and candidates now and into the future. If there’s anything you’d like to discuss regarding your career options then don’t hesitate to call or email us. Take care and stay safe and let us know how you get on.