III. Develop these powerful personal tools.

Finally, throughout all phases of your job search, the following personal tools will help you recognize opportunities that will meet your goals and encourage you to stick to your search when success appears to be the most elusive:

• Be flexible. Always keep in mind that most of your skills and attributes can be beneficial in many industries doing many types of jobs. My mother started out as a science teacher and medical technologist. Upon retirement, without any additional formal education, her final position was Manager of Training for Princeton University.
• Stay positive. Find support. Looking for a job is largely a numbers game and a game of opportunity. Be smart about how you are spending your time but also stay positive. Walk into that interview knowing what you can uniquely contribute. If a job offer does not materialize, don’t take it personally and try not to get discouraged. It probably wouldn’t be the right fit anyway. And in the end, ideally, I think we all want to work for a company that appreciates us.