When I decided I wanted to leave my first job out of college, looking for a new job was so intimidating and stressful. I was working over 40 hours a week (including weekends), and studying for the GRE so my time was extremely limited. When I got home from work all I wanted to do was take my ass to sleep. Because I desperately needed and wanted to switch careers, I knew that I needed to make time to look for a new job. But honestly after working your butt off for one job, and putting in hundreds of applications and cover letters so that you can get a new job, you are tired. Really tired ain't even the word, and that's exactly how I felt.
The journey in finding a new job (or really any job) can be depressing, stressful, and hectic. Despite the notation that Millennials love job-hopping, I will admit, I'm not that type of Millennial. Searching for jobs makes me feel angry, annoyed, sad, excited, hopeful, and stressed all in one (and that's way too many emotions to deal with at once).
During our job hunt journey, it's easy to forget about ourselves and our well-being. We are too busy violently typing away cover letters and updating our LinkedIn that we forget about important things like an adequate amount of sleep, taking care of our bodies, and our eyebrows. Yes, your appearance (including your eyebrows) are very important. Just a few weeks ago I was overwhelmed with life and my eyebrows took an ugly turn for the worst. My eyebrow threading lady looked at me with pity when I came to see her and finally with her magic my eyebrows were fleeky again. Moral of the story #1: Never be too stressed to forget about your brows or you will be looking like I was looking.
Unless you are just lucky or the whole world is itching to hire you, job hunting can be a process, but by incorporating these 7 tips below, it will help you find (and keep) your peace.
1. Create a schedule
During your chaotic job hunt, you may be working a full-time job, have a family, and you may even have a side hustle. On top of that, you probably hate your job (which is why you are job searching). When we dislike our jobs, it makes us very anxious and we are likely to try to use every waking moment to apply for jobs. During this moment of applying for jobs in between our free time, we are rushing ourselves to complete the application and cover letter. When we rush to submit an app or cover letter, it is a good chance that we will mess up on something. When I was job searching and rushing to submit applications, I accidentally addressed a few cover letters to the wrong company. Of course I didn't get hired or even called in for an interview and I don't blame the company either.
Before you start submitting applications, analyze your current priorities and identify the days and times that you can dedicate to job searching. Once you find that time, schedule it on your calendar so that you don't forget.
2. Download the LinkedIn Job Search app
If you have been following my articles by now or know me on social media, you will know that I am an advocate for LinkedIn. To me, LinkedIn is the plug and the G.O.A.T (greatest of all time). Besides the million of benefits that exist for having a LinkedIn account, one of my favorites is the LinkedIn Job Search App. This app allows you to search for jobs, message recruiters, see how many people have applied to a job, save jobs, and get notifications before a job expires. On top of that, you can even apply for jobs directly using the app and your current LinkedIn profile if the company has that feature through LinkedIn. If you find a job that you are interested in through the app, you will be able to apply for it using your phone or other mobile device. Imagine that! When I was job searching, I personally used the LinkedIn Job Search app to apply for jobs when I was on the go and didn't have access to my computer. This feature is easy to use and is very user-friendly.
3. Get enough sleep
If you don't get a healthy amount of sleep when you are job searching, you may not be able to put your all into updating your resume or writing cover letters. When you decide that you will start job searching, look at your schedule and as aforementioned schedule your time to job search and submit applications. Once you have scheduled that, schedule your sleep time and make sure you schedule to get enough hours to rest your mind and body. If you can not manage to get a full 8 hours of sleep, I do recommend getting at least 5-6 hours of sleep every night.
Related: How Being Team No Sleep Can Actually Shorten Your Life
4. Find a hobby (or continue an old one)
The thing that I love most about hobbies is that they have a huge potential to keep our mind away from the things that worry and stresses us out the most. Whether that's working out, reading, cooking, or writing, find your hobby and make time to indulge in it. It is important and healthy that we partake in things that make us happy. Trust me, having this source of happiness will be crucial when you are stressed out from job searching.
5. Spend time with friends and enjoy a mimosa (or two)
It's nothing like a good brunch with friends. Brunchin' with your girls is a great time for good conversation, delicious food, and even better mimosas. If you have a pretty dope girl squad, hanging out with them should keep you sane and relaxed during those moments when life tries to knock you down. For me, spending time with friends always makes me feel better and when you pair it with a mimosa (or a few cocktails or martinis) things just become better. Since you are job searching and probably don't have a lot of time, schedule the brunch (or girl time) so that's it's either bi-weekly or monthly and doesn't take up too much of your free time.
6. Talk to your "friendtors"
We all know about mentors, but our friendtors don't get enough credit. Friendtors are friends that also serve as mentors in your life. You should be able to talk to them whenever you need advice. With most friendtors, they have achieved a certain level of success or maturity so reaching out to them for advice or to vent always leads to a much needed talk for you. During your tough moments in job searching, your friendtors will be perfect to critique your resume, cover letter, and social profiles. Also, they can help you as you practice interview questions and can give you the motivation that you need to shine in the interview.
7. Surround yourself with positivity
I truly believe that our surroundings affect our mood. When I'm at work, I love to listen to a variety of music. My favorites are anything by Beyoncé, old school classics like Frankie Beverly & Maze, Earth Wind & Fire, and Bobby Womack. On top of all of that, I have to admit that I'm a sucker for trap music. However, as much as I love my trap music, sometimes I catch myself in the wrong spirit when I listen to it.
During your job search journey, surround yourself with positivity. Listen to music that will keep you in good spirits, and tune into inspirational podcasts. Surround yourself with inspirational quotes on a daily basis or read devotionals to keep you motivated. My favorite devotionals that I love are The Confident Woman Devotional: 365 Daily Inspirations, Daily Wisdom for Women 2016 Devotional, From God's Word to a Woman's Heart: A Devotional, and Power Thoughts Devotional: 365 Daily Inspirations for Winning the Battle of the Mind.
What are some ways that you keep your peace and stay sane when job hunting gets rough?
Drop a comment below and let us know!
P.S. Get more career tips and tricks by visiting our xo Business section!
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