If you are in the job search process, you know it can take a toll on your mental health. Whether it is the anxiety and stress of waiting to hear back from an employer or the sense of defeat when you get a rejection letter, it can be tough.
Don’t fret, though. Here are 10 tips to help you stay in the right frame of mind.
1. Exercise.
Research has shown that exercising 2 hours each week has a positive impact on your cognitive function. In order for you to be at your best, you need to feel like you are the best. Simple activities like going for a walk or practicing yoga at home can make all the difference.
2. Practice deep breathing.
Deep breathing allows you to ensure you are functioning at peak cognitive levels. Whenever you are feeling anxious, stressed, or overwhelmed just take a step back and take 10 deep breaths. If you need help putting it into practice, try using apps like Breathe to Relax (Play store & App Store).
3. Focus on skill-building.
There is nothing worse than having to wait for employers to respond once you’ve applied. So, rather than just wait around,, choose to better your skill-set. You can use learning services like Khan Academy or Open Culture to make yourself an even better job candidate.
4. Accept that you cannot control everything.
The best thing you can do is to focus on what you can control. Don’t spin yourself up about anything else., Work on your resume or practice your interview skills. This way, you’ll have a better chance of landing a job, and you will also be distracted from unneeded stress.
5. Use CRM for email applications.
This is the perfect way to take that anxiety away when waiting for responses. When applying for a job through email, use a CRM (Customer Relationship Management system, usually used within sales/marketing to connect and keep track of clients and customers) with email tracking like Hubspot, as it allows you to see who is actively looking at your application.
6. Maintain a positive attitude.
Remaining positive is key during your job search process. Focus on the good things happening within the job process. Whether that is getting contacted by an employer or receiving positive feedback for your resume. Apps like Happify and Pozify can help you remain in a positive frame of mind.
7. Practice self-care.
Get a massage, a mani-pedi, or a haircut. Taking care of yourself during this time is key since when you feel good about yourself, your behavior and emotions will be reflective of it as well. If money is tight, look for a discount salon or a training school. They probably don’t serve peppermint tea on a silver tray — but just close your eyes and imagine that five-star service while you enjoy the pampering you deserve.
8. Allow yourself breaks.
Yes, it is important to keep applying for positions, but sometimes you need to take a break. The old saying, “A watched pot never boils,” definitely holds true here. It isn’t healthy to spend every waking hour on one thing, so make sure you take some time to relax and have some fun.
9. Reach out to a friend.
Reach out to your friends. Some may be in the same predicament as you or could coach you on how to be more prepared for the process. Plus, talking to others gives you a break from your own thoughts.
10. Avoid procrastination.
This is often a primary cause of stress. The easiest way to avoid procrastinating is to break up a big task into smaller tasks, so it doesn’t seem as daunting. Hence, you’ll be less likely to delay since each step requires only a little bit of effort. Here are 5 other ways to avoid procrastinating.
The job search process can be stressful, but there are ways to make it manageable What’s your favorite job tip? Tell us more in the comments!
Featured image from @olly via Pexels.
