How to De-Stress From the Job Search

It’s exciting to begin the search for your dream job, especially when you feel like you’ve finally honed in on what you want to do in your career. But the process of sifting through job listings, tidying up your resume, and submitting applications can be…a lot.

You want to give your all to the job search to show hiring managers that you’re excited about the prospect of joining their organization, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take frequent breaks. In fact, combating job search anxiety requires you to prioritize self-care when looking for your next role.

Here are four ways to de-stress from the job search, including tips for organizing the process so it’s more effective for you.

Create a job search work area

Whether it’s your home office, a bedroom desk, or the neighborhood coffee shop, setting up a designated job search area will help you get into the right mindset when looking for your next role. Every day you settle into this space can help you mentally transition into productivity mode so you spend less time dilly-dallying and more time submitting applications.

Use productivity tools

Having a hundred tabs open on the screen clutters both your job search and mind. To fight the urge to shop online or watch an episode of TV, utilize some of our favorite productivity tools and techniques to systematize your process and fade distractions into the background.

Take breaks

Limiting yourself to a strict schedule—and adhering to it—is key to beating job search stress. Try setting aside a couple of hours every morning to peruse job listings, reach out to your network, and submit applications so you don’t spend time worrying that you aren’t doing enough to find a new role. Using a phone timer to ensure you step away from your work area to read or walk around can also be helpful.

Practice mindfulness

Practicing mindfulness allows you to focus your thoughts, as opposed to getting sucked into the day’s never-ending tasks and anxieties. Before sitting down to your laptop, consider your professional goals and what you hope to achieve for the day. What are you looking for in your next role, and what type of organizations are a good fit for you?

Honing in on these questions will allow you to figure out which opportunities to focus on; similarly, taking a few minutes to mentally leave the job search as you power off your laptop can help you leave any lingering thoughts behind so they don’t stay with you for the rest of the day.

Every person is different and finds benefits in different activities, so don’t be afraid to get creative and try different mind-boosting tactics to help you find your next opportunity.

How do you de-stress from the job search? Let us know on LinkedIn! 

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About the Author | Trisha Miller is a freelance writer from Boise, ID. She is a dedicated vegan who promotes an all-around healthy lifestyle, including mental health. You can find her on twitter @thatdangvegan and check out her website That Dang Vegan.