I just read this article about the benefits of taking a break, going to the bar, and having a drink instead of spending your entire weekend on Monster. I think this is a really good point.
However, I think a few key points were forgotten about the importance of getting out of your house and away from your computer. Not only can you better illustrate your passion and excitement for a particular topic while sitting at a restaraunt than you can from staring at your computer screen but you are also getting other people's ideas, reactions, and experiences immediately.
Its so easy to network while you're out in a social setting because there are so many people around. Maybe you're sitting at the bar telling your best friend a story and the bartender happens to pipe in and say that they know someone who is looking for someone with just your talents. Or what about your friends? Do they know what you do? Do they know what sort of position you're looking for? Have you told them about your lastest frustration because chances are they have a little bit difference insight than you do. Chatting about life over a drink is a great way to look at the world from someone else's point of view.
What about your significant other? Is your honey begging you to go out for drinks with his or her coworkers? You probably don't want to go because you don't want to sit there and listen to them talk about work and have to admit you're unemployed, but that could work to your advantage. What if their brothers or parents, or cousins, or what have you work and/or own the company that has an opening for your dream job?
Bottom line is these interactions are interactions with people OUTSIDE of your house and OUTSIDE of your field. And you need that not only to keep your sanity but also to exand your opportunities. If you only know people who work in the private sector you're never going to learn about opportunities in the non-profit sector and vice versa. Get out of your house, have a drink, a good time, and expand your horizons.
And even if you don't get your dream job after sitting out at the bar for an evening you will have blown off some steam and that's exactly what you need after months of job searching. I don't know about you but all the pressure is making me stressed. So take a break! It might be exactly what your job search needs!
However, I think a few key points were forgotten about the importance of getting out of your house and away from your computer. Not only can you better illustrate your passion and excitement for a particular topic while sitting at a restaraunt than you can from staring at your computer screen but you are also getting other people's ideas, reactions, and experiences immediately.
Its so easy to network while you're out in a social setting because there are so many people around. Maybe you're sitting at the bar telling your best friend a story and the bartender happens to pipe in and say that they know someone who is looking for someone with just your talents. Or what about your friends? Do they know what you do? Do they know what sort of position you're looking for? Have you told them about your lastest frustration because chances are they have a little bit difference insight than you do. Chatting about life over a drink is a great way to look at the world from someone else's point of view.
What about your significant other? Is your honey begging you to go out for drinks with his or her coworkers? You probably don't want to go because you don't want to sit there and listen to them talk about work and have to admit you're unemployed, but that could work to your advantage. What if their brothers or parents, or cousins, or what have you work and/or own the company that has an opening for your dream job?
Bottom line is these interactions are interactions with people OUTSIDE of your house and OUTSIDE of your field. And you need that not only to keep your sanity but also to exand your opportunities. If you only know people who work in the private sector you're never going to learn about opportunities in the non-profit sector and vice versa. Get out of your house, have a drink, a good time, and expand your horizons.
And even if you don't get your dream job after sitting out at the bar for an evening you will have blown off some steam and that's exactly what you need after months of job searching. I don't know about you but all the pressure is making me stressed. So take a break! It might be exactly what your job search needs!
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