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How can students and recent graduates stay motivated in their career search if they are not finding a job as quickly as they had hoped?

We are glad this topic of support and motivation is coming up because this is a large part of the challenge that individuals face but not enough people talk about it. While we can list all of the to-do's for your job search, if you are feeling demotivated and discouraged, your efforts will only go so far. The job search is an exhausting one because it takes time, it requires you to use your networking and extroversion muscles you might not be used to exercising. Because of this, it's important you take this process at a pace that feels manageable and realistic for you. Starting early is the proactive step to take so you are not rushing into this and feeling the time pressure to get a job ASAP. But for those who cannot avoid this, it can be helpful to talk about the challenges that come up with others. Emotional difficulties are common, such as anxiety, fear, doubt, and insecurities. Talk this out with someone else who can offer an outside perspective and strategies for working through these difficult emotions as well as strategies for how to structure your time, accomplish tasks, and persist through this process.

What are the first steps a student or recent graduate should take in identifying their career goals, and when should they start this process?

One first step you can take is brainstorming potential work roles and jobs you would like to pursue. If jobs or roles are too specific and this task seems too difficult, then write down themes of the kind of jobs you would like to pursue. Keep this running list documented and refer back to it. Narrow down the list to three to five high-interest jobs or career paths and begin investigating them deeply through resources and informational interviews. Additionally, it is helpful if you speak with someone else and get the mentorship or advice of another person. Whether it is an advisor, mentor, or career counsellor, this person can provide you with support and accountability as you take concrete steps in this career exploration process. Students can access their university/school career center, counselling services, or academic advisors. Often, recent graduates can still get short-term support as alumni from these departments, or at the very least get referrals for resources they can access outside the university.

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