When your partner is out job hunting for a great new opportunity it can be a time of excitement, but let’s face it: it can also be a time of hard knocks and uncertainties. As soon as the job search starts taking longer than you both expected it would, it’s okay to experience a flagging enthusiasm.

But there’s hope: The right kind of support (from you) could very well help keep your partner focused and make the waiting game easier for both of you. Here are some pointers on how to keep your significant other on track:

Boost His Confidence

Whether you’ll admit it or not, you are your partner’s biggest cheerleader, which means that you have the ability to help identify their strengths and assist them to find opportunities for success. Encourage your partner to start making (and keeping) lists of everything positive surrounding the situation. Jim Donovan, a renowned career coach, and author, suggests that you both review the list and start looking at ways in which you can expand on what actions are currently producing the best results.

Stop Micromanaging

It’s your partner’s job to do his homework on which companies are hiring and what positions are currently in high demand in the job marketplace. He should also be actively networking and sending out his resume, and sure, you can help him do that, but try to avoid micromanaging his schedule. You want your partner to remain independent, especially when it comes to his job, so don’t take the lead here. Instead of focusing on asking questions like “How was your job search today?” rather shift towards something like: “How is your research coming along on company X?”

Don’t Give Her Chores to Take Care Off

Sometimes our partners end up unemployed, but that doesn’t mean they want to remain in that status. Remember that the primary focus at play is that your partner has to find a job as soon as possible. Sure, she might have more free time during the day, but that doesn’t mean that you’re in charge of filling up those time slots with housework chores on her to-do list. A lot of us just assume that unemployed job seekers have more spare time to do whatever they feel like doing, but it’s essential that you don’t expect your partner will naturally just tackle activities such as preparing dinner, even more so if you used to be the partner that took care of those task during a time where you were both employed.

Format the Finances

Finances can be a big issue when one of the partners in a relationship is suddenly unemployed. This is exactly why you need to work together to sort out a plan about your finances. Help your partner identify what salary range he or she should be looking at in his new job, and then create an interim budget together. See to it that your partner applies for unemployment benefits as soon as they are unemployed, and if applicable, start looking at alternative health care options and other insurance benefits that will be a better fit for your current financial situation.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, the idea of your partner being unemployed doesn’t necessarily spell D.O.O.M for your relationship. As long as you’re as proactive and supportive as you can be during this time, your partner should value your input and be back on track towards achieving his job goals in no time at all!