10 Tips For Making Your Job Search Less Stressful
We understand the struggles of the dreaded job search! The constant applying, the waiting, the rejection emails, the anxiety. Sometimes, it can get so stressful that you get discouraged and want to stop or settle for any job. Fortunately, there are some ways that you can make your job search more bearable. Here are some helpful tips for you to follow.
1. Take breaks
Yes, we understand that finding a job is important. However, if you’re always looking for jobs without taking a break, you’re going to burn yourself out, making your job search way more stressful than it needs to be. Take some time off for mental breaks between looking for jobs. During your time off, you can exercise, watch TV, or do a relaxing hobby. You’ll feel refreshed and less stressed out.
2. Have a clear plan
Looking for a job can be like a job in itself, so it’s important to have a clear plan on how you’re going to get it done. For example, plan out your week to have a clear idea of what you have to get done each day. Mondays and Tuesdays can be the days that you apply for jobs. Wednesdays can be when you take a break. Thursdays and Fridays can be the days that you follow up with any jobs you haven’t heard back from in two weeks. Having everything planned and scheduled out will keep you organized, and your job search will be a lot less stressful when you’re organized.
3. Keep a positive attitude
This can be easier said than done, but staying positive during your job search is extremely important. Challenge every negative thought that might be going through your mind and replace them with positive ones instead. The more pessimistic you are, the more stressed you’ll get, and you’ll likely want to call it quits after some time. Try to remind yourself that although things may seem hard now, your job-hunting days are only temporary.
4. Don’t take rejection emails personally
We understand how hard it can be, but please remember that rejection emails should never be taken to heart. Just because an employer chose to move on with other candidates doesn’t mean that you aren’t talented and amazing at what you do. Sometimes, certain jobs just aren’t a good fit for you, and that’s okay. What’s for you is for you, and not getting that job you applied for might actually be a blessing in disguise. Rejection emails during your job search can be quite discouraging, but they just might lead you one step closer to getting the job of your dreams.
5. Update your resume as needed
Everybody knows how important a polished resume is when it comes to landing your dream job, so make sure to keep yours fresh and updated. Many people don’t realize that your resume isn’t always a one-size-fits-all when it comes to applying for jobs. With every job you apply for, you might need to slightly tweak your resume so that your skills match the requirements for each one. You’d be surprised how the smallest changes you make to your resume can greatly impact your chances of getting called for an interview or even landing the job.
6. Stay open-minded
Another thing that might be negatively impacting your job search could be you limiting yourself. It’s important to stay open-minded during your job hunt if a certain position doesn’t include exactly what you want. We have to remind ourselves that no job will ever be 100% perfect, and you’ll always be disappointed if you keep trying to look for that. You might never realize that some jobs offer many opportunities for promotions. You might start out doing something that you aren’t totally passionate about then slowly work your way up.
7. Celebrate every small win
Oprah Winfrey said it best: “The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.” You don’t have to wait until you get the job to start celebrating. Staying optimistic and rejoicing even the tiniest wins will take a tremendous amount of stress off your shoulders during your job search. Did you finally apply to that job you’ve had saved for a week? Did you get a confirmation email that the employer has viewed your application? Did you pull yourself out of your funk and apply to at least one job? Those are all small wins that deserve to be celebrated!
8. Don’t apply for jobs you know you aren’t qualified for
“Fake it ‘till you make it” doesn’t always work. If you don’t have the skills, credentials, or qualifications for a certain job, don’t waste your time applying for it. All you’re doing is setting yourself up for failure. Sometimes an employer might not even consider you for the job, or you may be faced with a task that you have no idea how to handle. Besides, it’ll be way more stressful trying to quickly learn everything you need to do to get that job correctly. Stick with what you already know. It’ll be worth it!
9. Have a designated time and space for job searching
Thanks to smartphones and job search apps, we can look for jobs while we’re out at a restaurant, in bed, or even on the toilet! Although it can be convenient, it could also add some unnecessary stress to your job search and everyday life. Certain areas, like your bed, should be associated with rest. Once you start job searching in bed before you go to sleep or first thing in the morning, your brain will start associating your bed with the stress of your job search. As a result, it might be harder for you to fall asleep or stay asleep at night. Try to keep the job hunting designated for areas like a home office or study area.
10. Ask for professional help
If you’re just not getting any luck during your job search, it might not be you. Many people might not realize this, but sometimes your resume or the way you fill out an application might be preventing you from getting the job you want. That’s nothing a little extra help can’t fix! If you’re still in college, you can take advantage of your school’s career center. They should be able to give you some pointers on how your resume should look, what to say during an interview, and how to find the right job for you. If you can no longer access your school’s career center for whatever reason, you can look for a career coach in your area. There’s always someone there to help you land your dream job with the least amount of stress.
Your job search doesn’t have to become too overbearing. With these tips, you’ll be able to keep a clear head while finding the right job for you. How are you handling your job search? Share below!
