With the current job market, being a job seeker is rough. Trying to find a job in this economy is tough, and when you’ve been trying for a long time, it can wear you down. It’s easy to get disheartened by the lack of response or rejection inherent in trying to find a job. That’s why you need to know these 4 ways to revitalize your job search experience and yourself. These strategies for rejuvenating your burned-out state of being and employment search will help you gain new focus and energy while guiding your hunt for the ideal position.

1. Craft or Revise Your Story

Take time to write or work on your personal narrative. Potential employers want to hear your story, so figure out the best way to present your life and experiences. Tweak your resume or get someone new to look at it. Come at your resume from a new angle and challenge yourself to find improvements. It will take serious self-reflection to decide how best to represent your background to others. Think about what kind of person you want to be. That introspection will help you figure out your next steps in general as well as how to improve your interview strategy.

2. Find a Project or Side Job

Gaps in your resume can be hard to explain and are often the first thing potential employers question. Fill in those holes, even if it’s just with personal projects. Set up an Etsy account and sell crafts. Start volunteering with a new charity. Learn a new language by using an app like Duolingo. Take a class in something you've never tried. Don’t let your job search make you lethargic, take charge of your free time to try new things and gain new skills. That will only help make your story that much more interesting.

Trying out some new part-time or side jobs is another way to find renewed purpose or direction. Tutoring, dog walking, or writing for a website are all varied options. Try out freelancing online through websites like Upwork to try out your hand at an array of different tasks. Who knows, your side job may even inspire new career goals for you or give you more options for the future.

Any job will help fill in gaps in your resume, give you new skills, and provide fresh connections.

3. Work Your Connections or Make New Ones

Connecting with others is a great way to give yourself new energy and to also gain access to new opportunities. Many companies have some sort of referral program and by meeting with those in your network, you may access new opportunities. If your connections are tapped, go out there and find new people to connect with! Find events in your field, research online communities you can join, or visit new locations to meet people. Making new friends and expanding your network is a valuable experience not only in terms of your search, but because forging new connections will bring you excitement and a refreshed sense of community.

4. Consider New Options

When you decide to revive your job search and well-being, there are a lot of options to consider. There are a number of job search websites out there and just by trying out a new one, you may find the position you want. Dreamhire.io itself is a platform for bringing job seekers postings tailored to their unique skills and experiences. Glassdoor is a great website for checking reviews, wages, and more on potential companies where you can also apply. Beyond new websites, you may also want to consider other jobs or fields that appeal to you. Trying out new options is a good thing and just by considering more options, you should feel a renewed sense of purpose and an extra boost of energy. Knowing you have choices and a future is key to feeling content while you're searching.

Don’t let the drag of job searching ruin your well-being. These tactics for reviving your stalled job search will help you find new enthusiasm and purpose in general. By looking into new projects, widening your search, writing a new personal narrative, and exploring connections, you will be able to give your job search new life and feel more satisfied with your situation.