Job searching can be an emotional rollercoaster, filled with excitement and anxiety. One moment you’re thrilled to be a top candidate, and the next you’re downcast when the job goes to someone else. Here’s how to manage this ride and stay on track.
Brace for the Twists and Turns
The job search process can take weeks or months, with peaks and valleys. One week you might have multiple interviews, and the next, nothing. Expect these fluctuations to better manage your emotions. When you hit a low point, remind yourself it’s part of the process and stay focused on your goals.
Embrace the Emotional Waves
Don’t suppress your emotions; process them. Activities like mindful meditation or journaling can help. Research shows that acknowledging and working through your feelings can reduce anxiety and improve emotional resilience. For instance, engineers who journaled about their unemployment found jobs faster than those who didn’t.
Find Your Anchors
Seek support from career coaches, therapists, or job-search groups. These professionals can provide emotional support and practical advice, helping you navigate the ups and downs of your search. They can normalize your experiences and offer a sense of community.
Fuel Your Engine
Incorporate activities that boost your energy, like exercise or listening to music. Exercise, in particular, enhances mood, increases motivation, and improves cognition, helping you present your best self in interviews and networking events.
Keep Your Bearings
It’s easy to feel discouraged when things don’t go as planned. Remember, other people have priorities too. If someone hasn’t gotten back to you, it’s likely not personal. Keeping this perspective can help you stay positive and reduce frustration.
See the Horizon
Remember that feelings and situations, like a job search, are temporary. Viewing challenges as impermanent can boost your optimism and resilience. For example, imagining your future self looking back on this time as just a “blip” can help you stay motivated.
Using these strategies can make the emotional highs and lows of job searching more manageable, keeping you motivated and productive. Stay positive, stay active, and keep moving forward.