Avoid Burning Out During Your Job Search
Posted November 12, 2013 & filed under Job Search
A prolonged and arduous job search can really do a number on your confidence, motivation, and often, your sanity. Many job seekers start out strong by charging out of the gates at with their search only to burn out after a few weeks. If you find that you’re running on empty and need to refuel, add some coal to your engines and keep the fires burning with these tips.
Set your work time, and stick to it
Many novelists live by the rule of writing for a set period of time and shutting down just as that time expires. Doing so allows them to avoid reaching a point where they feel tired of writing, thus motivating themselves to go at it again tomorrow. If you want to avoid excessive fatigue, set aside a certain amount of time for each facet of your job search. Write your resume and cover letter for an hour, then move on to researching new openings, then networking, then submitting applications, and so forth. When time is up, stop working and move on to the next task to keep yourself from burning out in a particular area. Most importantly, don’t go over your time limit for the day.
Don’t overburden your search
While pursuing multiple job leads is great for increasing your chances, following up on all those leads at the same time will only cause you to become frustrated and overburdened with work. Focus on only a handful of your tops leads at any given time. Once you have completed sending out resumes for one, you can open yourself up to another.
Volunteer
The worst part about the job search is the feeling that you are getting absolutely nothing done. Volunteering, while impotent in the payment department, will at least give you the feeling that you are accomplishing something, not to mention making you feel good about your efforts towards good will. Plus, it can work as a filler of employment gaps, a great networking/reference resource, and another way to get out of the house as well.
Create a network of fun
Letting people know you are looking for a job is a great way to score leads but being a 24×7 job hunter will burn you out very quickly. Make sure you take the time to spend time with family and friends without talking about your job search. Go out for dinner or drinks without the intent of asking for references. Hang out with the people you care about with the sole purpose of enjoying your life. It will make all the difference to your efforts.
Most importantly, take some time for yourself. Meditate, work out, watch a movie, play a video game, do whatever centers you and brings you back to one. Stay refreshed and your job search will ultimately be more effective in the end.
By Kevin Withers
