8 Ways to Stay Sane While Searching for a Job
Note: this newsletter comes courtesy of one of BeamJobs’ editors, Samantha. So, if you’re wondering why the personal anecdotes are vastly different from those you’ve read before, that’s why!
There’s no denying it: searching for jobs can really suck. There’s the fragile hope of possibility, the fear of not being good enough, and the worry about not finding what you want.
Not to mention, searching for jobs takes time and money as you fill out applications, drive to interviews, and drive to Starbucks for way too many coffee runs.
Keeping your head on straight during the job hunt isn’t easy, but here are some ways you can make it better:
- Connect Offline
Staring at a screen for hours on end damages both your eyesight and your mental fortitude. If you’re feeling drained, try changing how you search for jobs and bring your hunt offline.
If you love meeting new people, try attending a local networking event or job fair. As frightening as it can be, it gets you out of the house and helps you connect with a bunch of people at once. Arm yourself with snazzy business wear and a healthy dose of confidence to set yourself up for success.
For those who prefer to stick closer to home, try connecting with an old colleague first (preferably one who’s been in the industry a while). They might know someone who works at your desired company, or they might know who’s hiring. Work the six degrees of separation theory in your favor.
Come from a big school? Try shooting for connections through your alma mater. Go to an alumni event or see if they have any resources for job seekers. At worst, you’ll meet a few people, and at best, you’ll find solid business connections.
For a more impartial route, try talking to a recruitment or staffing agency. Their entire job revolves around filling job vacanies, so it’s worth a shot!
2) Clean/Do Some Chores
Here’s the first of the non-job-related tips (and one of the easiest). Beyond giving you a sparkling space, cleaning can boost your mental health and help you feel more in control. It produces an immediate, tangible result that gives you a sense of pride and accomplishment.
And as a cherry on top, cleaning can actually speed up your job hunt process by helping you process information faster. There’s less visual stimuli to get your attention, so you’re focused more on the application than that pile of week-old laundry.
Not to mention, it’s just plain nice to have clean floors, washed dishes, and folded laundry.
So, if you’re feeling stuck, grab a broom, mop, or sponge, and get to cleaning! (Your roommates or family members will greatly appreciate it, too.)
3) Avoid reading the news
Okay, don’t avoid all news, but if you find yourself lingering on articles about the sad state of the economy, then it’s time to turn your mind elsewhere and improve your mental health.
If you’re dying for something to read, ask around for good book recommendations. Maybe you can finally get around to reading that memoir your family member recommended, or maybe you can try that fantasy novel your friend raves about.
Personally, I’m always game for a good novel. A bit of escapism didn’t hurt anybody, and your job search will fade fast as you lose yourself in the plot. (Try something that involves some critical thinking, like a murder mystery, to really get your mind off things.)
4) Develop a routine
I’ll be the first to admit that creating a routine isn’t easy. (I’m still searching for that elusive “discipline.”) However, having a routine can significantly improve your health and decrease your stress, so it’s worth a try.
Do your best to actively develop a routine while you search for jobs. If you’re a night owl, write your resume after dinner. If that first cup of coffee works miracles, fill out your job applications after you’ve made a fresh pot. Create a job search schedule that works for you, and fill in the blanks with exercise, mealtime, and of course, breaks.
Whatever you do, don’t overwork yourself. Yes, you need a job (and money), but you’re also a human being. Resting helps your brain function at full capacity, so take a break when you need to—you deserve it.
5) Take a walk
Remember how I talked about exercise? Even though walking sounds basic, it’s one of the best ways to keep you from feeling like the world is ending.
As the kids say these days, touch some grass.
More than just a boatload of health benefits, walking improves your mental state, reduces anxiety, and promotes creativity. So if you’re stuck on how to word your cover letter, put on your sneakers and get out the door.
If you’re like me and tend to get bored, try listening to an audiobook or podcast while you walk. And let me know if you’ve got a good true crime podcast recommendation.
6) Help others
I wouldn’t recommend volunteering all your time, but helping others is definitely a good idea. Not only are you improving someone else’s life, you’re improving your own life.
It feels good to make someone else feel good, and using your skills to better society is one of the best uses of your time.
Plus, helping others comes in many flavors. You can volunteer at a local charity, but you can also pay for someone’s coffee, donate items to a food bank, or write a thank you note to someone you admire.
Want ideas closer to home? Give someone a gift “just because,” do someone else’s chores, or give a loved one a compliment. Your options are nearly endless! And speaking of options…
7) Keep your options open
Don’t settle for just one type of “happily ever after.” There are bunches of jobs you’ve likely never even considered, and they might even be a better fit for your experience.
For example, if you love sports and math, consider becoming a sports engineer to build tools and spaces for athletes. Or maybe you love working with audio but don’t love music—look into becoming a Foley engineer to make the sounds on screen come to life.
I’ll use an example from my own life: by the end of college, I wanted to be a book editor. (Sorry, Mom and Dad, STEM just isn’t my thing.) There are pretty much only two options for getting into editing—getting an internship at a publishing house or signing up for a publishing course.
I didn’t have the money for either of those options, so I took two marketing jobs and put my editing dream on hold.
But an editor at a huge publishing house reached out and told me that with my marketing background, I could easily apply to publicity roles and still read tons of books. Marketing suddenly looked like a more feasible plan.
Although it’s not my “dream job,” it’s a way for me to still do what I love and make good money. Try expanding your job search into new territory; you may find a diamond in the rough!
8) Don’t expect perfection
This advice is twofold: don’t expect perfection from a job, and don’t expect perfection from yourself.
Sadly, the perfect job doesn’t exist. There is always going to be something about any job that isn’t ideal. Maybe you have mountains of paperwork, a lot of hours, high stress, or a low salary. The trick is finding what you can live with.
And if you’re holding yourself to a strict standard, remember that nobody expects you to be perfect. One flubbed line during an interview is okay. Having a typo in your cover letter is okay. The saying goes “practice makes perfect,” but even the most well-known leaders, athletes, and teachers make mistakes.
The goal is simply to be good enough.
Job hunting is an exhausting, overwhelming process, but your mental and physical health don’t have to suffer for it. Remember to be kind to yourself, and don’t hesitate to ask for advice. People want to help you; all you have to do is ask.
Got more questions about how to keeping your sanity while searching for jobs? Shoot us an email—we’d love to connect!
You da best,
Samantha Nelson, Content Editor @ BeamJobs
