It’s no secret that this past year has been strenuous on the job market. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a major spike in unemployment rates, making the already difficult process of job hunting more stressful. 

There is no one special trick to managing stress during your job search however, there are a few things you can incorporate to improve your approach to the process. Diving in without a plan makes it harder than it needs to be when reaching your goals. Avoid physical and mental strain by having a solid understanding of what needs to be done, how, and when, while accomplishing your tasks. 

As recruiters, we speak daily with professionals going through the stress of job searching. Here are a few tips we believe can help you and our clients feel more at ease during the process. 

 

Create a Clear Headspace 

• When first beginning a job search, make a list of priorities you look for in a role and differentiate between what you would prefer for a position versus what is a non-negotiable need. 
• Handling multiple changes at once can also add stress. Try tackling each task at a time and creating a schedule of when and what you want to achieve to help stay on track with your search. 
• Focusing on smaller goals, or breaking a large goal into several more manageable ones, can make it seem less overwhelming to accomplish. 
• Avoid polluting your entire living environment with stressful emotions. Designate a specific workspace for researching, filling out applications, and interviewing virtually free from distraction and clutter. 

 

Don’t Allow It to Be the Only Part of Your Day 

• Stress cannot be managed if you don’t give yourself a break from the stressor. Make time throughout your day for physical activity, journaling, or other leisurely activities that bring you joy. 
• It’s easy to get trapped in a cycle of researching, applying, and interviewing when job hunting, but don’t put the rest of your life on hold. Even while searching, maintaining a healthy work-life balance is essential for avoiding burnout. 

 

Remind Yourself It’s a Process 

• Finding a job that checks all your boxes doesn’t happen overnight. Pace yourself by accomplishing a few set goals each day and being patient. 
• Don’t get discouraged for not hearing back right away after an interview. Recruiters have a lot to balance too and may be juggling other candidates before finding time to get back to you. 
• Try not to take rejection personally and look at every job you don’t get as an opportunity to learn by asking for feedback, revising your resume, or adjusting your job search strategy. 

 

Finding a position that is right for you is no small task. Be patient with yourself and don’t be afraid to ask for advice when feeling overwhelmed. We offer top recruiting services in a variety of industries and are ready to guide you through the steps of your job hunting process.

Written by: Darien Graves