Job Search Survival 101
As shown in our previous articles, a large body of literature has been devoted to workplace stress, burnout, and unemployment-related anxiety.
But there’s yet another aspect of our ‘work lives’, often overlooked by researchers, that has been shown to substantially chip into our wellbeing.
Graham Davey’s [1] in-depth exploration of the factors contributing to modern-day anxieties, demonstrates that job search, associated with increased feelings of uncertainty and rejection, significantly contributes to individual experiences of stress.
Job Search Anxiety.
Those of us who have been in the position of searching for a job, can probably testify that more often than not the whole process can be extremely time and energy consuming, cause a whole range of emotions, from excitement to complete discouragement, and put our self-confidence to a test.
With LinkedIn, job search engines, and online application forms making job application seemingly easier than ever before, an average job seeker faces an incomparably large competition when applying for almost any job out there. This, in turn, decreases chances of quickly securing the next job.
Moreover, with an ‘easy apply’ functionality in place, enabling an instant, ‘one click’ submission of job applications, applicants often apply for jobs they are not fully qualified for. This can further increase your competition on the one hand and lead to an increased number of rejection emails on the other.
That is, if such an email is issued at all! As Davey’s research shows, many employers do not even contact unsuccessful applicants and if they do, they do not provide any substantial feedback that would allow them to better prepare for future applications.
Most importantly, no matter how many people tell you not to take it personally, rejection can take a major toll on your motivation to move forward with your job hunt. Worse still, the feeling of uncertainty and tiredness can decrease your performance during the interview stages.
But there are few simple steps you can take to alleviate some of the stress related to job hunting, and set yourself up for success at the initial and later stages of the process.
1) Take your time & pace yourself.
Like with everything in life, even in searching for a job, timing is crucial.
Although there’s little consensus as to how long it takes to find a job, allowing yourself 3 to 6 months, rather than a few weeks, is a more realistic approach, enabling you to set aside the necessary amount of time and energy to productively tackle each step of the process.
Keeping a healthy time perspective will also help you pick the right moment to begin your job search. For instance, it’s important to start looking for a job before you hit the ‘rock bottom’ in your current job, as burnout is likely to chip into your energy and motivation resources outside of work — and you will sure need to pull these together to handle multiple job applications for a sustained amount of time.
Removing the unnecessary time pressure will also allow you to only select the opportunities you are truly excited about and likely to enjoy for a longer period of time. Of course, sometimes we may not have the luxury to be picky about our next role, but if you can afford that extra amount of time to be more selective, then we strongly advise you to do so.
It is also really important to pace yourself — like with dating, job search is not simply a numbers game, and quality might count for more than quantity.
As mentioned above, applying for too many jobs at a time, especially those you’re not fully qualified for, increases chances of rejection at the very first stage of the application process.
More often than not, putting more effort and time to writing a customised CV and comprehensive cover letter will serve you and your self-esteem better long term, than sending through hundreds of generic application forms.
Likewise, organising phone or face-to-face interviews every day of the week is likely to chip into your energy and enthusiasm. Instead, attending fewer interviews in any given week and putting your full energy into each of those, is likely to aid your performance and increase your chances of securing the offer.
2) Stay organised.
Looking for another job often feels like a full-time job in and of itself.
That’s why it’s important to put a clear structure in place, especially if your job hunt runs in parallel to other commitments, such as study or your current full-time job.
Creating a schedule and boundaries for your job search can add a sense of control to your life, which can sustain your motivation and positive thinking. For example, you might set aside one hour each morning specifically to work on updating your resume or set a goal to attend three networking events per month.
It’s also extremely important to stay organised, having clarity and a ‘to-do’ list for all aspects of your job search. Each of the opportunities you apply for is likely to require different actions and preparation methods, and so breaking down the job search into smaller, more manageable tasks can make a big, daunting process feel less overwhelming and more within your control.
Such a structured approach to job searching will allow you to accomplish small wins each day, which helps foster positive feelings of self-efficacy — that is, a sense that you are capable of finding a new job
3) Take care of yourself.
On top of these simple practical steps that are likely to enhance your job search experience, it’s also essential that you take care of your mental and physical wellbeing.
The job search can stir up challenging emotions, fears, and limiting beliefs that can keep you up at night. Bottling up those reactions is likely to only perpetuate the production of stress hormones throughout your entire body, which will continue to bring you down.
Make sure to share your experiences with and seek support from trusted family members and friends — or a professional.
Taking care of your overall health is as crucial — good nutrition and a sufficient amount of sleep, exercise, and relaxation, will help you relieve stress and give your mind and body some well-deserved rest.
For most people, career is closely linked to identity, so you may feel like searching for a job is like searching for a piece of yourself — and until that piece is in place, you can feel unsettled and incomplete.
Ensuring that you support your identity with pursuits outside of work, such as meaningful relationships or work-unrelated activities that bring you joy and fulfilment, is likely to help you preserve confidence and sense of wellbeing despite the highs and lows inherent to searching for a job.
Call To Action.
Searching for a new job can be challenging and stressful, especially when managed poorly. We believe, however, that devoting a sufficient amount of time and putting a structured plan in place, will enable you to go through the process with more sense of control, order, and confidence.
Ensuring that you take care of your mental and physical wellbeing, and appreciate those parts of your identity that are unrelated to your professional outcomes will, moreover, help you deal with the emotional ups and downs of the process.
Not least importantly, it will help you showcase your ‘best self’ at every stage of the process.
Ultimately, your approach to the whole process can be a game changer as well. A lack of time, structure, and self-care is likely to make it seem daunting and threatening — an insurmountable battle that you’re bound to lose.
But job search can — and should — also be seen as an exciting time in your professional journey, and one that is likely to expose you to new challenges and learning opportunities. We believe that the three simple steps presented in this article will help you adopt this kind of constructive attitude.
How to deal with stress is a publication packed with tips and techniques for dealing with stress and anxiety in everyday settings — brought to you by Agnieszka (Aggie) Zbieranska & Leon Taylor.
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[1] Davey, G. (2018). The Anxiety Epidemic: The Causes of our Modern-Day Anxieties.
