Manage Stress During a Job Search

Manage Stress During a Job Search
(taken from an article by Mary Jeanne Vincent)

Reducing and managing stress is one of the keys to a successful search.
Too much stress and you appear desperate. Not enough and people question
your motivation. Only you can decide how much stress is the right
amount! Here are seven steps you can take to significantly lower
stress, improve your effectiveness, and ultimately shorten your job hunt.

1. Have a realistic understanding of how long a job search takes. Many
job seekers have an unrealistic time frame for finding their next job.
It always takes longer than you think. When you don’t have a realistic
expectation for how long it can take it is easy to feel stressed out.

2. Develop a job search action plan. Map out where you want to go and
how you are going to get there. Set specific daily and weekly goals;
then develop a contingency plan for when Plan A doesn’t work. Once your
plan is in place and you are emotionally prepared – take action!

3. Reduce unnecessary expenses immediately. Minimizing financial
responsibilities and maximizing financial resources will significantly
reduce stress. This is not the time to go stress shopping. The greater
your financial resources the more flexibility you have to accept the
right job offer rather than grabbing the first one that comes along.

4. Think of your job search as a job. Consider putting specific job
search activities on your calendar and treat them like a job.

5. Spend time on the right activities. Do spend time developing high
quality marketing materials – like a résumé, cover letter, and reference
list; networking with friends and colleagues who can connect you to the
right people or opportunities; and following up with potential
employers. Don’t spend hours on the internet searching job boards for
the ‘right’ job. Instead use the internet to research organizations,
gain information about specific industries, and network with people who
can assist with your search.

6. Evaluate your progress on a weekly basis. Stay on top of your search
so that you can tell immediately if your search starts to stall and take
steps to get it back on track. Assess what is working – do more of it.
Determine what isn’t working and revise your approach. If you are still
stuck consider working with a career coach.

7. Take time to refresh your mind, body, and soul. Looking for a job,
especially when you don’t have one, is something you carry around 24/7.
Remind yourself to set regular office hours and knock off at a
reasonable hour. That includes taking time off on the weekends. Take a
walk, go to the gym, escape with a good book, or have coffee with a friend.