How To Take The Anxiety Out Of Job Searching
There’s no way around it: job searching can be stressful. The process has improved in recent years with the convenience of job searching from your phone. However, that doesn’t take away all the anxiety of job searching by any means. Waiting for responses or rejection emails, sifting through job listings to find the ideal job, and going through the motions with interviews can take its toll on a person’s mind. Fortunately, there are ways to manage all of that. It may create some extra work on your part, but it will be worth it in the long run.
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Make a List of Jobs
Make a list of jobs before you even start job searching. This list should have jobs that you could see yourself working in, as well as some you might not have considered before. Take into consideration your past job experience and interests. This will help expand or narrow down your options. In keeping this list, it helps keep your mind organized and anxiety-free as well.
This list will help you stay on track and make sure you’re not forgetting anything. It’s normal to get side-tracked while looking for jobs, such as curiously peeking at high-paying jobs or looking at jobs from another industry. If you use online job boards, this list will provide you with keywords or phrases you can type in to narrow down your search to the specific listings you need. It will also help return examples of other job titles you can add and search for later.
Stay Organized
Staying organized in your job search means different things for different people. Generally, though, it involves taking the load off your brain so that you don’t forget anything. If you’re applying to many places, keep track of who you’ve sent an application to, to ensure that you don’t have too many overlaps. If you are creating new cover letters or resumes for each company (we recommend you do), name each file appropriately. When you have multiple interviews scheduled for the same day, write the order in which they happen so you don’t get confused.
Staying organized takes the anxiety of keeping tabs on your activity off your mind for the time being. It also allows you to focus on more important tasks.
Take Breaks
Job searching can be a full-time job, so it may be a good idea to take breaks every once in a while. There comes a point where there is nothing you can do except wait for responses. At this point, you can’t do anything to speed this process along. So, instead of waiting by your email stressed out, stewing, and second-guessing yourself, go take a break and do something different. No matter what it is, go do it. Acceptance/rejection emails will be there when you get back.
Yes, bring your phone with you in case a call comes in. Otherwise, when you’re all done sending applications, step away from your devices for a while.
Establish Backups and Keep Them
Don’t put all of your eggs into one basket. Meaning, don’t put all of your hopes and dreams into a single job application. It may be the perfect job for you in all aspects, but you’re not guaranteed the job.
Even if you don’t want to, find a backup as soon as possible. Have multiple job opportunities working in your favor. Even if that perfect job comes along and feels promising, don’t let go of your backups until you’ve secured the job. As it happens, sometimes jobs fall through at the last second and you’ll be left hanging out to dry. It is better to have a job lined up than none at all, and it will give you peace of mind to have it that way.
Work With Tempstar Staffing
The name of our game is taking the stress and anxiety out of job searching. We have a large list of clients with hundreds of jobs ready to be filled. In many instances, you can apply for a job today and start your first day tomorrow. It’s that simple!
Contact us today to find out how we can help achieve your job searching goals.