Regardless of how talented and ambitious you are, the job search can be draining after a while. You may send out hundreds of resumes and hear nothing, even if you know you’re qualified for the position. If you don’t take care, it’s easy to begin to experience feelings of self-doubt. If you’re starting to feel burnt out as you look for work, keep these tips in mind:
It’s okay to get angry
People who love you will try to get you to feel better, so they’ll approach the situation with a rosy glow. While some semblance of optimism is helpful, that doesn’t mean that every situation requires a big, fake smile. It’s okay to have a few days where you feel angry or frustrated. These emotions are completely normal, as long as you don’t let them rule your life.
Take a step back
There’s a reason they say that job hunting is like a full-time job in and of itself. Searching for jobs is time consuming, and can start to be all that you think about. Every so often when you’re feeling especially burnt out, it becomes necessary to take a step back and focus on other things. Talk to a friend on the phone, hit the gym, go get a coffee. Allowing the hunt to become an obsession only makes it more frustrating. Be diligent and commit to it, but also take time to just relax and enjoy time with family members and friends.
Find a productive outlet
Whether you’re unemployed or searching for a new gig, the job hunt can become a huge source of stress. It’s important to find a healthy way to deal with this. This may be running, doing yoga, or writing in a journal, but make sure that you have some type of outlet for getting your frustrations out as you focus on your job hunt.
Try to have patience
It’s certainly easier said than done, but realize that eventually you’ll land the perfect job and the frustrations of the job search will become a distant memory. Accept that you’re doing all you can, and try to have patience with the process.
Mix it up
If you’ve been searching with no luck for months, try mixing up your strategy. Instead of blindly applying to listings, head to a networking event in your area. Use different resources to find out about jobs, such as LinkedIn. Don’t forget to let people know you’re searching, and make sure your resume is up to date and ready to go.
If you’re feeling stuck in the midst of your job hunt, it’s often worthwhile to learn a new skill. It’ll keep you feeling active and will also boost your resume. Many community centers offer inexpensive or free classes. Check out what’s available near you.
How did you handle job seeker frustration? Let us know in the comments!
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