The job search is typically ignored as a key stage in your career and personal life, even though it’s a critical aspect as you’re transitioning from one job to your next. Something as important as this transition is often brushed off as an inconvenience and may even be embarrassing to some.
Sadly, for some people, this process is also a source of great stress.
No matter how much experience you have, it is difficult to find a new job. You quickly find yourself in a never-ending cycle of applying, interviewing, and rebranding your resume until you find a job that you either love or accept because you have no other options.
The brain can only do so many difficult tasks, such as job searching or interviewing, before exhausting all resources and leaving you feeling overwhelmed, fatigued, and burned out. Therefore, it is critical that you take care of yourself during this time, or you may soon get weary before even beginning your new job.
Physical and Mental Breaks
The continual worry about when you could obtain the job you’ve been waiting for might easily overwhelm and disappoint you. As a result, you must take regular breaks and engage in activities that recharge your inner batteries before continuing your journey to your dream job.
Think about doing simple things like meditation, snacking on your favorite healthy snacks, or going for a walk to clear your head if you’re not sure what to do with your breaks. A lengthier self-care activity like journaling or establishing a new motto for oneself is not always required, but certainly can be helpful.
Think About Your Basic Needs
Because of our society and our work cultures, we often place our jobs above ourselves, even if we don’t have one right now. Your basic needs such as exercise, proper nutrition, and social relationships are likely to suffer since you prioritize your job search efforts over your basic needs – sound familiar?
If you’re wondering where your time is going because you don’t think you’ll be able to fit in any self-care time between applying and interviewing, I encourage you to try an activity that may help you if you find you’re at a loss for time and self-care.
Take an inventory of your time.
Take a week throughout your job hunt to record the times you begin and conclude each activity. Begin with when you get up and conclude with when you go to bed. While this may seem inconvenient, it will show you where your time is going and what areas of your life you should improve to include not just self-care but also other essential activities like self-improvement.
Are you struggling to find ways to recharge your battery? Register for my masterclass The Underground Playbook to Landing Your Dream Job to optimize your job search strategy and your mental health.
Your Thoughts Matter
Preparing for interviews may be stressful, anxiety-inducing, and nerve-racking. Remember that being apprehensive before an interview is natural and acceptable. Your thoughts may soon become your opponent as you begin to work against yourself.
It is critical to maintain control of your thoughts since, even outside of interviews, your fear of change may begin to instill various sorts of worries about changing jobs.
Try to reframe these thoughts in order to maintain control over them. Most of the time, it is the fear of change and the unknown that may drive your mind down a dark path, spiraling in negative thoughts about everything that can go wrong.
Mindfulness and acceptance practice can assist with this kind of thinking as you practice embracing the unknown and things you can’t control. It’s not easy to try to challenge these kinds of thoughts that are taking control, but once you do, you’ll effortlessly handle everything else during this process.
Are you having difficulty finding a job that is in line with your values and the salary that you deserve? You might be missing the strategies needed to get past the traditional broken hiring process. You can learn more about how to take control of your search at the free masterclass mentioned above.
Searching for your next career move is not easy, but when you take care of yourself first, it will allow you to be your best self as you start at your next company. Don’t forget the importance of self-care and being in the right mindset as you embark on your next job search.
I’m an Executive Career Coach, the CEO of Optimized Career Solutions, and host of the Attagirl Podcast. I’m a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) who spent my career as a corporate recruiting leader, working hand-in-hand with decision-makers. I’ve personally reviewed over 200,000 resumes throughout my career. I’ve helped thousands of career professionals to land their dream job through my executive coaching program the 6 Figure Career Boost, and have worked with companies on creating a culture that’s inclusive and fosters growth.
