While riding my road bike recently, I was thinking about all the benefits of putting in miles on two rubber tires (and no motor!). And then I got to thinking about the job seekers in the world and how biking should be an activity included in their job search routine.

So, without the fanfare of a drumroll, I present in no particular order:

Jeff’s Ten Reasons to Start Biking While Looking for Job:

As you venture out of your immediate neighborhood, travel through industrial parks to find companies to investigate.

Riding helps clear your mind and gives you time to think. Bring a recorder (or old school: scrap of paper/pen). You’d be surprised how many great ideas pop into your head while you’re riding.

Obviously, getting some exercise is a chance to burn calories. Hours of research in front of a computer can lead to the opposite.

By meeting new folks who ride in your town, you get to network with all kinds of new contacts. Most bike shops hold weekly rides originating from their shop.

In between jobs, it is sometimes hard to find accomplishments to be proud of. As your miles and fitness increase, you’ll feel extremely good about your positive experience.

Biking adds another dimension to your personal life that may be useful in interviews. You never know, you might have an interviewer who is an avid cyclist. Making personal connections in an interview is key.

Being healthy is appreciated by employers’ (and your own) budget. In fact, many companies have developed programs in the last several years for encouraging their employees to stay fit.

Biking lends itself to setting and achievement of goals. Hiring managers like candidates who are self-directed and can achieve personal goals.

Biking is a stress reliever. It gives your body and brain a chance to vent frustrations by pushing yourself physically. Being out in the world/nature/fresh air helps bring you back to reality. Although this may be a tough time, there is a “bigger picture.”

Duh! It’s a good habit. After you’ve found your next job, you’ll want to continue mashing those pedals!

If you’ve got a few more to share, feel free to comment below. Or if you want to chat about biking, tweet me at @jlipschultz. I’d be happy to give you my two cents immediately, assuming I’m not on the road at the time.

Originally posted to http://jefflipschultz.wordpress.com/2009/06/10/ten-reasons-to-take-up-biking-during-a-job-search/ on June 10, 2009.