Jun 3rd 2021

6 ways to manage job search burnout

Some of you may have graduated from university and are looking to kickstart your career, some of you may be looking for that much-needed career change or maybe you’ve found yourself unemployed and you are experiencing job search burnout. 

Whatever the reason that’s thrown you into job hunting, the job market is proving a difficult time for everyone. The important thing is to be aware of experiencing job search burnout and finding ways to manage it. We have put together some tips for you to do just that. 

6 top tips to manage job search burnout 

Have a schedule

There are going to be many things causing you to stress that are out of your hands. You can’t control how long it is going to take you to find a job, but you can, however, control where you allocate your time during the process to achieve your career goals.

Dan Black, global recruiting leader for EY, recommends spending between one and three hours a day when you’re most productive. 

Break down the job search into smaller, manageable tasks which make the process become less daunting and more controllable. By determining when you dedicate time to job applications you free up time for your own personal well-being. 

Celebrate your wins 

It’s so easy to get caught up in things like sifting through job descriptions or job boards, that you forget to celebrate the little victories you achieve along the way. Be sure to schedule daily tasks to complete that can give you a sense of accomplishment. 

This could be one or two hours of career-related tasks, such as, writing a cover letter template or writing out practice answers for an interview. These are all important to finding a job and you should reflect on your progress and take pride in how far you’ve come. 

Upskill for confidence 

Confidence is key when applying for jobs. It’s important to back yourself and the skills you have. So why not try to learn some new ones in your free time to give you that extra little boost?

There are online courses such as Coursera that can help give you a competitive edge. At the same time, they also motivate you to plow on with your job search by instilling a newfound sense of self-confidence. It may even encourage you to put yourself out there more and reach out to people to start building useful networks.

Set aside time for self-care 

Anna Runya, Career Fulfillment Coach, says, “The best thing you can do is to take a mental health day, which is a free day to think about what you’re going to do.”

You don’t need to feel guilty if every waking minute of the day isn’t spent on job applications. As we mentioned above, schedule your time effectively so that you get some time to yourself. It could be things such as exercise or meditation, or it could even be a fun activity to look forward to. Whatever it is, your mind needs variety and it will help keep that feeling of job search burnout at bay. 

Reach out for help 

You have friends and family that are always willing to help, so turn to them if you need a bit of moral support to pick you up, or help be a career coach for you. Sharing your experience, the highs and the lows, can keep you from shouldering job search burnout on your own and help to manage it. 

Another way you can do this is to find some friends that are fellow job seekers. Claire Wasserman, Founder of the Ladies Get Paid career-development community, suggests having a network of people to talk through your experiences with. 

This positive reinforcement from others in a similar boat can keep you motivated even when you’re getting nowhere. 

Stay positive and keep the dream 

Rejection after rejection can put a dent in your confidence and make you question your abilities. Try to look at the bigger picture – you have learnt something new and this will help strengthen your next application.

You should also take a stepping-stones approach. When an opportunity comes your way but it isn’t what you’re looking for, seize the opportunity to try something new. You will gain great skills and experience that will help you eventually land the dream job you are looking for. 

The job search can feel demoralising and time-consuming. But it’s something we all have to go through. And although it may seem hopeless, it’s important that you approach it in a way where you can manage burnout and sail right through to your perfect job. 

If you are struggling to find a job, why not check out our Ultimate Guide to getting a job for some advice on how to nail your job hunt.