Job searching can be fun and exciting, however, it does face its challenges with today’s job market. With the cost of living on the rise, employment has increased to a record high in the latest quarter at 76% employment rate (1).
The competition has risen and you need to prepare much more than in the days than when there was the simplicity of just an ad in a newspaper with a phone number!
In this blog, we will cover the signs you could be stressed and tips you can do to help you feel more relaxed about job searching.
When it comes to job searching, try not to let stress get the better of you. Here are a few signs that may show you are experiencing stress:
- Difficulty getting out of bed and/or focusing
- Increased irritability
- Your hobbies are not appealing anymore
- Feelings of helplessness and/or despair
- Finding yourself living in cluttered and/or dirty space
Job search stress can happen to anyone, especially when the searching can go on for hours and you have been rejected a few times. Please keep in mind you are not alone in this situation! Here is how we can help deal with this stress:
Schedule your time
At some point, everybody needs a break. Spend an hour or so a day to dedicate your time in job searches and tips. Shorter search sessions mean you won’t be feeling dragged down when it comes to taking up your day.
Vary what you do
There are a few great ways to make you feel productive other than job searching. Ensure you are varying your time to build your personal profile on LinkedIn(2). You can build connections and network around employees and employers. You can also keep up to date with relevant company news, these can be useful to discuss in the interview process to show your interest in the company. You can also take paid and free courses to gain more knowledge and gain more experience to your CV and LinkedIn page.
What people fail to think about Is their knowledge with online interviewing. Ensure you spend some time understanding how online methods work and learning to get comfortable talking to the camera.(4) There have been issues in the past with people talking muted, or their camera was not turned on, which caused them to fail the interview process.
Remember that rejections are not personal. People apply for jobs every day; some applications can have thousands of applications! Just because you were rejected, does not mean the employers didn’t like you. Think of it as an opportunity to learn and grow for your next interview.
Not everybody gets a job first or even second and third time, it can take more than 10 interviews to get the role you were made for. It is always crucial you should ask for feedback when receiving your rejection email. This is so you can use this feedback to improve for your next interview.
Just remember that every ‘no’ is a step closer to your ‘yes!’
If you find yourself still struggling after some time, please ask for help. This type of stress is common and there is a great support system to help you out. Your family members and friends are around to help you discover new ways around your job search journey that may help you.
We wish you good luck for your future and hope you will be able to secure the job of your dreams! Remember all you have to do is believe, and you are halfway there.
Resources:
(1) ONS Labour market overview, UK: June 2023
(2) TOP CV: 8 ways to stay productive whilst searching for a job
(3) Making your job hunt more effective
(4) HubSpot: 6+ Tips for Reducing Job Search Anxiety