Fighting Off Anxiety During a Job Search

Everyone wants a break from their job, but when that eternal break comes from being laid off, getting fired, or quitting, you realize what you’ve lost: a stable routine and income. At first, the possibilities are endless. You can do and be anything. Then comes rejection after rejection. You find that your faith has shaken and you’re not sure where to go from here, what jobs to pursue, and what do in the meantime in regards to finances.

It is an inevitable rut that most people fall into, especially when they are striving for career advancement or a career change. The emotions that are developed during this rut can be overwhelmingly negative and may lead to great discouragement and distress. Those who already suffer from anxiety can be deeply affected by this. In either case, feeling anxious during a job search is completely normal, but it is possible that it could deter someone from getting a job that they need or the job of their dreams. However, there are some ways in which anyone could handle their anxiety in pursuit of a new career.

Tips to Avoid the Jitters

From two articles, “Dealing with Job Search Anxiety: Career Stress Management 101” by Dr. James Pann and “5 Ways to Keep Going When the Job Search is Getting You Down” by Melody Wilding, information was extracted to deliver the best results for your job search.

1. Get “the feels” out of the way. It’s okay to get a little emotional when frustrated or frightened. Get it all out of your system, so that when your moment comes, nothing is boiling beneath the surface. Employers can truly see who you really are.

2. Take it one task at a time. Try not to think too much about everything that needs to be done. Being too engulfed in your troubles can cause procrastination and depression. Think about the little things instead: search, apply, and interview. It doesn’t have to be more difficult than that.

3. Create goals. How many applications do you think you can do each day or week? Try not to do so much or you’ll burn out and won’t have the energy to press on. Set a realistic goal and make it happen.

4. Have a system. An organized setup promotes a clear head. If you keep track of the jobs you’ve applied to and the interviews you have set up, the process will become a whole lot easier overall. Even pro/con charts and outlines of cover letters can make the biggest difference.

5. Take a break. If you feel like your head might explode, step away from the job board. A couple of days’ rest can do wonders. When you return to the search, you’ll have a more relaxed and confident mindset for it, which will produce better results in the long run.

6. Talk to someone. If the anxiety of it all gets to you, it might help to talk to a friend or family member about it. For all you know, this could be a contact to another job. If the problem worsens, it may be beneficial for you so seek added perspective from a professional; even if that means learning about anxiety. Here, you can get the counseling you need for your anxiety without the high expenses.

For other anxiety or self-improvement articles, see Self-Growth.com, where you will see millions of ways in which you can improve any aspect of your life, including your career.