Self-care asks us to slow ourselves down and look inward and while seeking a job, this can often seem counter-intuitive. “Who has time for self-care? I just need to go and get a job!” is a conversation we might have with ourselves. While self-care may feel like a strange concept to match up with job search, the simple practices we are sharing can go a long way in helping you get ready. Our tips will assist you in preparing to secure the position of your choice and lessen the stress during the first few weeks of orientation on the job.

So, if the February blues are getting you down, try these simple practices to get geared up for hiring season:

1/ Take care of your physical self:
It’s been a long winter, and though our bodies might want to slumber until spring, our job search will be far more effective if we prepare ourselves for potential employment with good sleep, nutrition and a daily movement practice. Even 15 minutes a day of walking or a light workout can make all the difference in lifting our spirits. Also, there is no replacement for getting enough sleep, water and nutrition throughout the day. Believe it or not, the good energy these simple practices radiate are visible to others and are proven to have great positive effect on our physical and mental health – both of which support a greater chance of success in the job market.

2/ Get up and STOP! What??? Whoever says that? Our get up and go attitude can feel productive, but if we’re not grounded we may burn out by noon. If you find yourself feeling as though you’re running in circles, try this simple practice when you wake: take a moment with your feet on the ground at the edge of the bed and spend a few minutes doing some slow, deep breathing while simply letting your thoughts go, returning your attention to your breath. Starting the day mindfully offers the benefit of time for reflection, an organized start, and a greater access to calm throughout the day.

3/ Know where your energy levels are at. Take a few minutes while moving about your now mindful morning and just check in with what you feel up to. Sure we don’t always feel like we are ready to go greet employers and sell ourselves, so look within. Sometimes we can boost ourselves up with some positive self-talk, or call a trusted support to help buoy us up, while at other times we just have a flat feeling and there is nothing to be done but recognize it. If and when the day does feel flat, assess what activities you can do to still keep yourself moving forward: make a list of 5 places to target for employment and start scouring their websites for clues for your cover letter. Perhaps you have all the energy in the world and are ready to self-market and go get that job. If that is the case, gather your resources and head out for a day of job seeking and networking. Knowing yourself and what you have to work with is a very powerful tool for directing your day. Do what you can to keep yourself moving forward and make the best use of your time. This will serve you well when job seeking, and when you are back in the work force.

Ultimately, remember that job seeking can take a lot out of us and we often are the last ones on our list. Filling up your own cup will go a long way to sustaining you through not only your job search but your life.

Old Country Market will be hosting a hiring fair on February 18th from 10am to 4pm, in the front room of Cuckoo Trattoria.

Tell us about your business/organization and what makes you stand out as an employer?

We are a locally grown family run business with many varieties of diversity. We are a progressive business with a flair for unique products and merchandising styles. We have become a well-known tourist destination as well as point of interest for our local community too!

How many employees do you have?

Our number of employees can fluctuate from 75 to 250 as our busy season demands more employees.

What do you look for in a new employee?

We look for employees that are eager to learn, enthusiastic, want to grow with the business, are not afraid of hard work, able to excel in a high volume fast paced environment and have a strong desire to be successful at and away from the workplace.

What advice would you give someone who wants to work for your organization

Listen to instruction, be attentive to detail, be committed to the job, be punctual, and be able to follow direction and remember that this is a job that could potentially lead to a career.

Do you anticipate hiring in the next 6 months? If so for what types of positions?

As an ever growing business we are definitely looking to hire more employees. We have a very diverse business so we are looking for many positions: cooks, clerks, servers, cashiers, bakers, dishwashers, or even goat whisperers.

What is the best way for someone to apply if they are interested in working for your organization?

In person with a resume including references.

Black Press is hosting a Career Fair February 9th in Courtenay and there will be a variety of exhibitors offering opportunities in employment, education, and skills upgrading. For more information see this week’s hot sheet.

The date of the 2017 Career Centre Hiring Fair has been announced! Wednesday April 12th from 12pm to 4pm at Parksville Community & Conference Centre. Eleven employers have already signed up and we expect up to 40 employers at the event. For more information see this week’s hot sheet.