 A job search can be a stressful, trying experience. However, some people tend to fare better during that process than others, especially in the face of rejection and adversity.
Why is that? A joint study by the University of Missouri and Lehigh University shed some light on this subject and might just arm you with the knowledge you need to make your next job search successful. According to the study, people approach their job search in two distinct ways: With a “know-it-all attitude” As an opportunity to learn and improve themselves Take a guess which group of people ultimately experiences more success during the process. That’s right: the second group, which the authors of the study described as having a “learning goal orientation.” What does that mean? Simply put, it means those people focus on learning above all else, even when they fail. The other group of people, meanwhile, tends to focus on the failure, since they started the process under the mistaken notion that they “know it all.” The underlying factor in these situations is emotion, specifically the contrasting emotions that these two groups of people feel and what actions those emotions prompt them to take during their search for a job. “Know It All” Group The people in this group tend to internalize any rejection they experience. Unfortunately for them, that produces a decrease in desire and effort, which adversely affects their job search. It’s a self-perpetuating cycle of failure. “Learning Goal Orientation” Group The people in this group do not internalize failure. Instead, they study and analyze it and ask themselves what they learned from it and what they can do better next time so that they’re more successful. Fortunately for them, this produces more desire and motivation, since they now believe they possess the experience to do what’s necessary the next time. Which group of people do you think you’re in? Which group do you want to be in? Conducting a personal inventory in regards to your attitude in this area could make all the difference in your next job search—and in your career. Click here to read a press release about this joint study. Comments are closed.
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