4 Secrets Of Avoiding Burnout During Your Job Search
For many job seekers, searching for a job can be extremely long and tedious.
Day in and day out as you apply for jobs, attend networking events, build your personal brand, and even meet professionals for coffee, the entire process can become simply exhausting (especially when you don’t have any leads to full-time employment).
Job search burnout begins when you start losing any motivation to continue to search. People who experience burnout the most are those who feel like they’ve applied for hundreds of jobs but haven’t had any luck with their search. Whether it’s feeling discouraged about not landing a job, or the “waste of time” you’ve invested in your search, feeling defeated by your job search isn’t uncommon.
If you’re on the verge of giving up on your job search, here are some things you can do to get back on track and avoid burnout:
1. Identify what you want from your job search
There’s no doubt every job seeker everyone wants to land a job. However, if it’s your goal to land a job, you need to understand the strategy you’ve created for your search to make this goal a reality.
To prevent job search burnout, identify your needs. Once you determine exactly what you want from your job, you’ll create a better plan for applying for jobs and networking with employers.
For example, if there is a particular niche you want to work in, focus on finding jobs in that area. This way, you’ll have the chance to focus more on finding the right jobs and meeting the right people.
Knowing what you want to achieve from your job search will give you more determination to land a job. However, if you lack the determination to find a job that meets your needs, this could be a factor holding you up during your search.
2. Stay interested in your goals
A 2014 study revealed you become more energized and encouraged to accomplish your goals if you engage in activities you enjoy. Applying for job after for job can be exhausting, and even take the passion out of your career. As you continue to apply for jobs, don’t forget about what it is you enjoy doing.
To stay interested in your goals, break away from your job search to work on something you enjoy, even if it doesn’t apply directly to your career. This will help you recharge and even find more inspiration to continue your job search.
3. Talk it out
When the stress of your job search continues to build up, it’s always a good idea find someone you can reach out to for advice. Seeking support during your job search can help you regroup, de-stress, and gain valuable input for your search.
Talking to a friend or mentor can also help you pinpoint why your job search isn’t working. It’s easy to overlook our current job search efforts; outside feedback can help you look objectively at your search. This will help you find out where your search is going wrong and get back on track with new job search strategies.
4. Set a stopping point
As you apply for jobs, understand when enough’s enough. You can apply for 20 or 30 jobs a day, but if you continue to not hear anything back, you need to stop what you’re doing and reevaluate your search.
When you reach a point in your job search where it’s going downhill, this should be a sign for you to take a break. This doesn’t mean to quit your job search completely, but it does mean take some time to focus on the important elements of your search.
For example, take some time to rehash your resume and cover letter. You can also focus on building an online portfolio or strictly networking with professionals. This will give you a break but keep you productive in your search at the same time.
Job search burnout can definitely prevent you from success, but if you know how to stop it, you’ll have a more productive search. By following these tips and focusing on your goals, you’ll be on your way to improving your job search.
What tips do you have for avoiding job search burnout?
