Job Searching is Difficult – Even in the ‘Best of Times.’

Job hunting is a difficult process! Not only is writing a strong AND tailored resume/CV and crafting a cover letter time-consuming, not to mention challenging, applying for jobs, receiving rejections and attending interviews is a stressful process.  All the time involved in researching positions, organizations and trying to establish how you might align to a particular position or organization can be a huge time consumption!

Even for the most confident person, the uncertainty, time constraints and financial pressure while searching for a new job can take its toll on their mental health. So how can you help manage anxiety and stress while applying for jobs?

Often we apply for jobs that we love the sound of, and we become very attached to the thought of them.  Insofar  as we even start to imagine details like what our commute would be like?  What it would be like working there?  What my colleagues will be like?  How will I set up my office and what will I hang where?   All things that make the possibility of rejection incredibly hard to let go of the idea when it’s a ‘no’ in our inbox.

Rejections are, understandably, taken personally, because, often in the absence of feedback (especially in these times where employer ‘ghosting’ seems to be the norm) we can assume we weren’t good enough and really get into our heads as to all the things that are ‘wrong’ or where qualifications don’t add up?  Facing these knock backs on a continued basis, can take its toll after a while, especially if we’re desperate to move on from our current role or position in life. With that said, here are just a few thoughts in managing your search but also recognizing the need for your own wellness in the process!

1) Manage your expectations

It’s important to manage your expectations from the outset and accept that it may take a while to find a new role. It can help to treat searching and applying for jobs like a part-time job or project and setting yourself some clear targets of how many applications you want to make by when, and allocate yourself specific times during your week when you can work on these. This can help job hunting feel more manageable and in our control.

Richard Alderson, founder of Careershifters, also advises to be selective. “While it’s tempting to send your resume and CV everywhere, you’re more likely to be unsuccessful – and feel a lot worse as a result,” he says.
“Instead, only apply to roles and companies you’re energized by. Be picky, even if your inner critic is telling you not to be. You’ll come across way more powerfully in your approach.”

2) Remember it’s not personal

When you get a rejection from a job you really want, it can be really difficult and demoralizing. But it’s important to remember that even the best applicants don’t get jobs – and you haven’t necessarily done anything wrong in the process. Remember that any “No” is not personal reflection on you – it can’t be, simply because they don’t know you well enough for it to be personal. If anything, try to see it more as a mis-match from the organization’s standpoint – your skills and experience weren’t aligned t their needs at the moment, that’s all.

3) Do other things

Particularly if you’re worried about money or if you are currently unemployed, applying for jobs can take over your time and leave you burned out. It’s important to look after yourself, to see friends or family and to take breaks from applications – you’ll come back to them with fresh focus and energy.

“Maintain a healthy balance between your job hunting and everything else you like to do in your spare time,” Stapleton says. “Make sure you’ve still got the opportunity to see your friends, do fun things, exercise, eat well. This can help you remain resilient and keep going when the going gets tough.” It will ALSO help you in that when you are called in for an interview, you will have had healthy distractions and you’ll go in fresher and with a better mind-set for the interview.

Also, if you have a good network, it’s important to get support from friends and family if you’re struggling, as they can help you with advice or take your mind off jobs when you need it. It can also help to meet up with others doing the same thing as you all may see in each other, things that perhaps are not recognized looking at yourself and this can be helpful in preparing to meet a prospective employer!

4) Get feedback

According to LinkedIn’s Talent Trends report, 94% of candidates want to receive feedback after an interview, but only 41% have received it and I believe this is a far inflated number! It can really help you to improve your chances of getting the next job you apply for, as well as boost your confidence if you find out what you did well AND maybe where things fell a little short. I definitely recommend trying (gently) to push for specific feedback from interviewers as much as possible. This can help you focus on tangible areas to improve on, answers to practice, etc, so that the next interview feels like an improvement, as opposed to just throwing darts in the dark

5) Speak to people

Networking! Fun? Not everyone enjoys networking, but it can help to get to know people in your chosen career path who may be able to give you advice, recommend you for jobs or even hire you. This might mean attending conferences or events, or simply connecting with people on LinkedIn or on social media groups. This may sound a bit counter-intuitive, but if you frame it as ‘less looking for jobs and more looking for people,’ this can help greatly in your pursuit. Having other people going along for the ride and being extra sets of eyes out there can be of incredible assistance in your search! Not only is it less soul-sucking, it’s also, in many circumstances, a lot more effective.

6) Anxious about it all?

If you are struggling with anxiety, low or even depressed mood, or any other mental health challenges that may be an obstacle in your pursuit, it’s even more important to speak to people and possibly your GP, all of whom can give provide you with welcome support along with giving you advice that might be helpful in making headway along the process. It’s important that the job search is not only seeking a means, but also a relationship that is, hopefully, a healthy environment for you to be walking into and one for your new employer to also be benefiting from!