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The months of January to March for most companies and businesses are periods for releasing job postings and ads calling prospective or interested candidates to apply for unfilled positions. During this time, many candidates will spend hours on the internet, rewriting cover letters, polishing their resumes, asking Siri for common interview questions, and moving from one job ad to another.
At the initial stage, job searching can be a very exciting experience, especially if it’s your first time. But when none of your applications receive a positive response, and your inbox contains nothing but promotional emails or newsletters for days, it’s very likely that the cold arms of anxiety might find their way around your shoulders.
Some warning signs of job-search anxiety include:
- Disorganized and messy space, with an unwillingness to clean up.
- Eating a lot, eating little to nothing, or having very unusual eating patterns.
- Unwillingness to get out of bed and carry out normal routine activities.
- Pessimism.
- Unusually irritated.
- Feelings of hopelessness.
These feelings are quite normal and can happen to anyone. The most important thing is that you don’t let them linger. Below are 8 tips on how to manage job-search anxiety:
1. Pause, Breathe, and Pull Yourself Together
One major cause of anxiety is overthinking. After submitting several job applications without receiving any responses, your mind will inevitably start producing thoughts like:
- What if I remain unemployed?
- What’s going to happen to my finances?
- How do I pay my rent, school fees, or pay off this loan, etc.?
You need to pause, not just your actions but your mind as well. Try to regain control over your thoughts. Overthinking causes your mind to exaggerate situations, making them appear more complicated than they really are.
Acknowledge that your thoughts may be over-exaggerated and that you are simply worried. Then, begin to counter those thoughts by reminding yourself that job hunting takes time, and it might take longer depending on your industry.
Even if you may have been job hunting for a month or longer, it doesn’t mean your case is hopeless. There is a job and an employer out there for you. You need to challenge these thoughts to prove them false, or else you might accept them, leading to anxiety or possibly depression.
2. Be Positive
This is a word job seekers hear a lot, especially from friends and family: “Be positive,” “Everything will be fine,” “Don’t worry.” But don’t roll your eyes! It’s really not a cliché.
You need to be positive, or falling into anxiety will just be a matter of time. During your job hunt, you will face rejection emails, no replies, and you might even start doubting your own skills and qualifications.
Discouragement will try to nest in your mind. You’ll get tired and lose interest in submitting more applications. But you mustn’t give up. One way to do this is by reminding yourself that you’re not the first job seeker in the world. Others have been in your position before.
Resist discouragement and keep moving forward. Submit your application whenever you see a vacancy, and when a rejection email comes, accept it gracefully.
3. Don’t Spend the Whole Day Job Searching
Be diligent in your job search, but try not to spend the entire day behind your screen. Use your free time for something productive. Sitting idle increases the chances of overthinking, and negative emotions will flood your heart. Find something to take your mind off your job search. For example:
- Practice a hobby, such as running, swimming, or writing.
- Play sports.
- Get a part-time/side job.
- Take an online course. Use this time to build up your skills and invest in your self-development. This is especially useful if you feel underqualified for the roles you’re applying for. According to scientific studies, learning new skills also helps keep you motivated.
4. Find a Support Group
Having a support group during this period is very important because on days when you forget to stay positive, you’ll have people to remind you. A support group can be friends, family, or even an online community of job seekers like yourself.
You can find such communities on platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn. These groups help you see that you are not the only one facing challenges. Anxiety tells you that it’s just you, but that’s not true. Isolating yourself during this time is a bad decision. You need as much support and encouragement as you can get.
5. Get Your Finances in Order
Much of the anxiety people experience during this period is related to finances and fears about how they will cope financially if they don’t get a job. While staying positive is important, it doesn’t hurt to take some practical steps to put your finances in order. Here’s how you can do this:
- Calculate how much money you have left.
- Consider your current cash flows (if you have any, perhaps from a part-time job or investment) and cash outflows.
- Determine your necessary expenses for the month.
- Identify any unnecessary expenses you can cut or eliminate.
- Draw up a budget and commit to it.
Remember, planning doesn’t mean you won’t get a job. It’s just practical wisdom.
6. Plan Your Job Search
There is actually a “how” to job search. Studies have shown that job seekers who are strategic and have narrowed down their target employers are more likely to get hired than those who send out their resumes to dozens of organizations and industries.
Be specific in your search. Identify potential employers and their business needs, then tailor your resume and cover letter to match. A strategic application will yield better results because employers will understand what you can offer them, rather than receiving a generic resume that leaves them confused.
Networking is also a critical part of job searching. Studies show that one of the most effective ways to land a job is through referrals from people in your network. Isolation is not the answer.
7. Be Realistic
As mentioned earlier, remember to breathe. It would be wonderful if you were accepted by the first company you applied to, but it doesn’t always work that way. Don’t despair. Instead, push yourself to ensure that each job application improves your chances.
Polish your cover letter and keep developing your skills. Embrace all the failures and rejections that come during this period—they are all part of the job-search process.
8. Follow a Routine
Studies have shown that anxiety during job searching often stems from the lack of a fixed routine, which is present when you have a normal job. Without a routine, your mind may panic, and you may feel unproductive or as though you’re wasting time.
So, create your own routine. Get up by 9 a.m., don’t spend two hours making breakfast, and manage your time wisely. You might decide to spend 3 hours job searching, 2 hours networking, 1 hour reading a book, 30 minutes for lunch, 30 minutes on social media, and 2 hours learning a new skill. This way, your mind and body will no longer feel unproductive, and anxiety will be less likely to seep in.
Finally, the job search is an interesting journey. Much like a relationship, it’s full of highs and lows. But remember, this too shall pass!
