Shauna Moerke is…

I know what you are thinking. “What’s good about job hunting?” Absolutely nothing. And I am so right there with you on that. The only thing that sucks more than looking for a job is looking for a job while you are unemployed.

Been there, don’t want to be there again.

So post over, right? Not quite. Inspired by Steve Browne’s theme for the upcoming Carnival of HR, I need to be positive. Thankfully, I’m generally a sunshine and bunnies kind of person anyway. So I thought I would tackle something that I know most people hate, and find the positives. You know, silver lining, door closing-window opening, lemonade out of lemons kind of positives.

Here I go:

1. It’s a chance to start over. Remember that time you tripped over your untied shoelaces and fell face first into the jello at the company picnic? Or when you found out that for the last year and a half you had been calling a co-worker by the wrong name? Or how you accidentally downloaded that computer virus trying to get that cutest puppies screensaver from that questionable website? Well, now you have a chance to start fresh and free of embarrassing stories that always seem to be brought up at office parties or used as warnings for new employees.

2. You have a reason to re-evaluate your goals and priorities. Sure, you’ve spent the last 10 years working in the financial industry, but is that really what you want to do? Now, I’m not necessarily advocating you do something drastic like giving up your career to do Underwater Basket Weaving, but if you are looking for a new job because you are unhappy in your current one, maybe you should think carefully before you jump into a new position that is exactly the same. Job hunting is a great time to think about what you want to do and to see what else is out there.

3. It gives you a chance to reflect on your abilities. When was the last time you sat down and thought about all the skills and experience you have acquired? All the projects you have worked on, the work improvements you have made, and all the butts you have pulled out from the fire? Job hunting forces you to think about all the positive things you have done. Not only will this help you build a better resume, but this self-reflection can help you get a much needed self-confidence boost, just when you need it the most.

4. You have a chance to broaden your network. Job hunting is a great motivator to get out there and network like you’ve always said you needed to. Re-establish connections with former co-workers & bosses, check in with friends and family, and attend networking events to meet other professionals in your field. Not to mention that a new job means a brand new set of co-workers to network with.

5. You have a chance to break free from a bad situation. Does your boss steal your lunch and call you out in front of your co-workers? Do you have a client that calls you every Friday afternoon to yell at you about their latest emergency? Do you dread going to work every morning but you are worried there is nothing better out there? Once you are free of that toxic environment you will never understand why you stayed in it so long. It’s like getting a new pair of eyeglasses, as soon as you put them on you can’t believe how clear everything becomes. Go get you some new eyeglasses.

In the end, my advice is take the time to acknowledge the bad parts of job hunting. That’s normal and healthy. But then let them go and move forward by taking advantage of all the good parts. You’ll be surprised at the difference it can make.

Good luck out there!