Being on the Job market for even as short as three months can cause job-hunt fatigue. This is especially true when you consistently receive rejections or no feedback at all. This buildup of negative feelings can gradually leads to loss of self-confidence.
But this fatigue is part of the process, so if you’re searching for a job, it’s best to know how to deal with it.
Silence does not always mean no.
After countless submissions to potential employers, and not receiving a single call or e-mail in response, you might begin to get used to the silence. Understand that silence is part of the process and that it should not be confused with rejection.
Resist the temptation to inflate your qualifications on paper.
Your true accomplishments should be enough to carry you to the job that is right for you. You are good at what you do, and it is unnecessary to take the risks that are bundled with distorting the truth.
Never settle for less than what you are worth.
The stress of an extended job search may push you to accept jobs where a company exploits your desperation and pays you less than what you deserve. Always remember that you need a salary you can live with, and unless you are working as a volunteer in a non-profit organization, avoid taking jobs that do not compensate you well enough.
Job hunting is a process. Organize your search.
Create achievable daily and weekly goals such as looking up x number of companies, reaching out to x number of contacts and giving yourself enough time to prepare and rehearse for meetings or interviews. Keeping track of the small progresses is a huge psychological reassurance that you are moving forward one step at a time. Note the strategies that have worked for you and take off from there.
Overqualification may lead to rejection. Find the right fit.
Find the job that matches your credentials. If you have been in the industry for a significant amount of time and decide to apply for entry-level jobs, employers may be confused and dismiss your application as a mistake. In addition, they might see you as “too expensive” and would rather go for the more appropriate candidate.
Believe in yourself because you are not alone.
Family and friends are always there to support you. Let them know how far you have come, how far you want to go as well as any disappointments you might have faced along the way.
It also helps to look for other people who are also seeking jobs either online or in real life. It’s important to realize that there are others who might have a deeper hole to get out of. If they can stay optimistic, there is no reason for you to doubt yourself. Having the right perspective is the key.
Take advantage of your online profiles.
The accessibility of social media has made it easier than ever to find anyone from any field. Connect to the company of your dreams by sending them a simple message of interest attached with your qualifications on sites like Google+, LinkedIn, and even Facebook.
Be involved.
It is easier than ever to do extensive job search from the comfort of your own home. However, a successful job hunt usually requires a combination of approaches. Not having a job is not an excuse to stay at home and look at the computer all day. Meeting people and building connections are vital. Be active in key industry events and let your presence be known.
Never underestimate the power of taking a break.
Looking for a job is also a job. Constantly updating your resume, tailoring every cover letter, following up on promising interviews or checking in on the latest industry events can definitely take up a significant amount of your time. Do not forget to take breaks in between every activity to boost your energy.
This option probably isn’t available for everyone, but you can go as far as travelling or soul searching to gain perspective on things. Understand that the job is always there and that there is no need to feel guilty for taking the time to recharge your batteries. You just need to allow yourself to breath when you need to.
The only direction to take is forward.
Even if you are feeling the fatigue, do not stay where you are. Take tiny steps towards your goal, and you can eventually reach it. After all, the job search may be a lonely process, but you are never alone.
Look Everywhere You Can
In most places, there are local job search sites that can be helpful. It’s not just up to the big aggregators like Indeed or Monster. For example, if you’re looking for jobs in New York or jobs in Los Angeles, there are options available. Most bigger cities have these sites.
Also there are many industry-specific sites that help with the job search. These usually fall into more general categories, like business or the arts, but getting specific can help.
Find the light at the end of the tunnel.
While fatigue is not generally a good thing, something positive can come out of it. Once you have been pushed over to the edge, you can learn to be flexible about your options and this opens doors to plenty of other possibilities you may have missed before.
Find the job that matches your credentials. If you have been in the industry for a significant amount of time and decide to apply for entry-level jobs, employers may be confused and dismiss your application as a mistake. In addition, they might see you as “too expensive” and would rather go for the more appropriate candidate.
Believe in yourself because you are not alone.
Family and friends are always there to support you. Let them know how far you have come, how far you want to go as well as any disappointments you might have faced along the way.
It also helps to look for other people who are also seeking jobs either online or in real life. It’s important to realize that there are others who might have a deeper hole to get out of. If they can stay optimistic, there is no reason for you to doubt yourself. Having the right perspective is the key.
Take advantage of your online profiles.
The accessibility of social media has made it easier than ever to find anyone from any field. Connect to the company of your dreams by sending them a simple message of interest attached with your qualifications on sites like Google+, LinkedIn, and even Facebook.
Be involved.
It is easier than ever to do extensive job search from the comfort of your own home. However, a successful job hunt usually requires a combination of approaches. Not having a job is not an excuse to stay at home and look at the computer all day. Meeting people and building connections are vital. Be active in key industry events and let your presence be known.
Never underestimate the power of taking a break.
Looking for a job is also a job. Constantly updating your resume, tailoring every cover letter, following up on promising interviews or checking in on the latest industry events can definitely take up a significant amount of your time. Do not forget to take breaks in between every activity to boost your energy.
This option probably isn’t available for everyone, but you can go as far as travelling or soul searching to gain perspective on things. Understand that the job is always there and that there is no need to feel guilty for taking the time to recharge your batteries. You just need to allow yourself to breath when you need to.
The only direction to take is forward.
Even if you are feeling the fatigue, do not stay where you are. Take tiny steps towards your goal, and you can eventually reach it. After all, the job search may be a lonely process, but you are never alone.
Look Everywhere You Can
In most places, there are local job search sites that can be helpful. It’s not just up to the big aggregators like Indeed or Monster. For example, if you’re looking for jobs in New York or jobs in Los Angeles, there are options available. Most bigger cities have these sites.
Also there are many industry-specific sites that help with the job search. These usually fall into more general categories, like business or the arts, but getting specific can help.
Find the light at the end of the tunnel.
While fatigue is not generally a good thing, something positive can come out of it. Once you have been pushed over to the edge, you can learn to be flexible about your options and this opens doors to plenty of other possibilities you may have missed before.
At one point, you may have enclosed yourself to one direction only, and the uncomfortable feeling of uncertainty means that you are going down the right path. That is proof that there is growth amidst the exhaustion you are feeling.
Always look towards your dream.
By now you may have realized that the majority of the fresh graduates and those looking to change their careers have not landed on their dream job on the first try. Often, a dream job is only attainable after you have acquired many of the necessary skills to through years of experience.
Even if you do not feel satisfied on where you currently are, never lose sight of the ultimate goal you have set for yourself. Be diligent in taking the step-by-step approach. Look for lateral moves that allow you to be even just a small step closer to where you want to be and cherish your connections to all the people who can catapult you there. You may be down now, but the only thing you have to remember is that you can either move up or move out of the situation.
