Time and time again, individuals seeking new jobs get consumed with minor details that aren’t central to their job search. In this article, we will focus on what to do during the idle time when waiting to land that big opportunity.

YOUR FULL-TIME JOB IS FINDING A JOB

It might seem like a no-brainer, but many job seekers spend too little time and effort in the process of finding a job. Working on your resume, applying to job postings, and networking and connecting with your social and professional circles should be your full-time job while in the job-search process.

According to John Smith, the employment consultant with JobsInGTA,  “To successfully land your dream job and shorten your time away from the job market, you have to treat searching for a job as your new job.” In other words, it is imperative for job seekers to give  more energy and persistence to their job search than to anything else in their lives.

DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME

It’s so easy to stay in the comfort zone and waste time while unemployed. Many people spend time doing things like playing video games, browsing the internet for cool cat videos or following their favorite Kardashian on Twitter. While these things may be entertaining, wasting time this way will not land you your dream job. In fact, the more time spent on those activities, the less motivated you will become regarding your job search. If you want to land a great job, it’s very important to spend at least a few hours a day dedicated to the job search, instead of the distractions..

COMPANIES DO NOT HIRE UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE

Although it sounds harsh, it is unfortunately true. It’s easier to find a job while employed than finding a job when you are not employed, and the longer you stay unemployed, the less chance you have to land a good job.

Because of this, it’s a good idea to accept a job offer even if it’s not exactly what you wanted. Be sure to work hard in any position you are in and keep your job serach going in the meantime. Being employed keeps you connected to the job market and keeps your resume free of gaps in work history.

Landing a job, even one that’s not your dream job, will help you generate income while searching for the perfect position and will save you from the stigma of being unemployed. Just be careful not to relax too much in your new position or stop searching for that perfect opportunity.

DO NOT RELY ON SOCIAL MEDIA

There is a trending belief that social media is a great tool for finding a job. While social media is an excellent research tool to know about employment opportunities and company culture, never rely on social media alone. Try to get in personal contact with hiring managers. This is a prime example of a good way to invest time and effort to connecting with your network and getting in front of the right people.

DO NOT LISTEN TO THE NAY-SAYERS

It’s sometimes difficult to stay positive during job searching. This is especially true if you have pessimists in your life. Try to keep a distance from those who look at the dark side of things and may discourage your motivation.

In some cases, the negative voice will come from within yourself. This can happen when you aren’t getting great feedback from your job search, or when you feel like you are lacking the skills needed. Even when you are feeling down, it is important to push through and continue to use time wisely to focus on your job search. Researching and developing a new skill may be a good plan to keep you motivated, rather than listening to a negative inner voice.