The daily grind can be tough and exhausting. But, honestly, so can job searching. Constantly tailoring your resume, drafting personalized cover letters and anxiously refreshing your email in hopes of at least one reply from a hiring manager are enough to leave you feeling totally drained.
You need to stay motivated and continue putting yourself out there. However, that’s much easier said than done when you’re feeling completely burned-out. Some tips:
Take a break
Whether you press pause for a couple of hours or even a few days, taking a step back from your job hunt can help you immensely. It gives you a much-needed mental break from the entire process, meaning you can come back with fresh eyes and a fresh attitude. In the end, that brief hiatus will likely improve your search — you’ll feel motivated to send out the absolute best application you can, rather than getting it done in a rush in order to simply check it off your list.
Get out and network
With so many applications done online, searching for a job can feel surprisingly isolating. You’re just a faceless name behind a computer screen submitting endless pieces of information to different faceless names behind other computer screens. It can be incredibly impersonal.
That’s exactly why it’s important to get out there and meet some real people. Attend a local networking event or join a community organization. This change of pace is sure to help you feel a little more positive about the entire process. Plus, networking can benefit your search — you never know who you’ll meet.
Set up informational interviews
Constantly submitting applications only to receive radio silence in return is discouraging. And, it can be hard to feel motivated to continue doing more of the same thing.
This is when it’s time to switch up your tactic. Instead of scouring the internet for job postings, focus your attention on identifying companies you really admire or you’re really interested in, even if they don’t currently have any available positions posted.
Then, reach out to a particular employee or manager who works in your career field at that organization and ask to set up an informational interview or coffee date in order to learn more about what he or she does. Yes, it’s taking some of your time away from those employers that are actually hiring. But you’ll learn a lot, meet new people, and — who knows — maybe even open a door.
Talk it over with a friend
The job hunt can be frustrating, and you’re allowed to feel exhausted with it every now and then. Getting together for a venting session with a close friend — particularly one who’s sharing a similar experience — can be helpful.
Stay positive
At the end of each day, take a few moments to think of at least one great thing that happened. It’ll help you end your job search session on a high note.
