There’s no doubt that, while job hunting is exciting, it can also be challenging.
For starters, there’s a lot of work involved. Not only do there seem to be endless websites and job specifications to read through, but you’ll also need to tailor your CV to suit each job you apply for, write cover letters, and fill out lots of different forms. And that’s all before you even get to the interview!
What’s more, particularly if you’re looking for your first job or you’re unemployed, there’s the additional pressure to find a role quickly so that you can keep yourself afloat financially – and this has only been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic.
It’s therefore no surprise that your mental health can be vastly affected by your job search.
While we’ve mentioned the importance of looking after your mental health briefly in a previous job-hunting tips blog, we’ve not yet explored it in detail.
Our team at i2i Recruitment have therefore put their knowledge and experience together to create the following list of top tips to help you prioritise your mental health during your job search:
7 ways to take care of your mental health during a job search:
1. Set yourself a schedule of achievable goals
While it might be tempting to apply for as many jobs as you can in as short a space of time as possible, this can be exhausting – and not very effective. Unfortunately, employers have a good eye for when an application has been rushed, which will likely lead to rejection.
As a result, you will not only find yourself exhausted, but disappointed.
Instead, set yourself a manageable schedule for each day of job hunting; for example, a job search session in the morning, and a couple of hours in the afternoon to focus on one or two well thought out, high-quality applications.
2. Take regular breaks
Taking breaks during your job hunt might seem counter-productive, but it’s actually really important for your mental wellbeing. What’s more, if you’re struggling with an application, it’s a great way to give your brain the chance to subconsciously work out what you need to do!
Don’t wait to feel overwhelmed or stressed before you take a breather, else you’ll spend your valuable break time trying to calm yourself down instead of focusing on resting. Instead, set yourself a timer with regular intervals – for example, a 15-minute break for every 45 minutes of work.
3. Keep up with your hobbies and interests
Again, this might initially seem counter-productive if you’re busy trying to find a job, but taking some time out to enjoy your hobbies can do wonders for your wellbeing. In fact, research shows that people who have a hobby are significantly less likely to suffer from low mood/depression and stress!
What’s more, this will provide you with a great talking point if your prospective employer asks what you get up to during your spare time!
4. Look after your physical health
There’s a strong link between physical and mental health, so during your job search, be sure to incorporate an exercise routine into your schedule – even if that’s just a half hour walk each day or a quick jog around the park!
5. Don’t bottle up your feelings
Talking to a trusted family or friend about how you’re feeling is a great way to boost your mental health during a job search. Not only will they be able to provide support and reassurance, but they may even have a few thoughts and ideas to help you through the process.
Writing a journal is a great way to express your feelings if you’re not wholly comfortable talking about them with another person.
6. … and remember that your feelings are valid.
When your focused on a job search, it can be all too easy to fall into the trap of thinking you’re overthinking everything, getting stressed for no reason, or that there are far worse things you could be worried about or situations that you could be in.
At these times, it’s important to remember to be kind to yourself. As we said at the beginning of this blog; job hunting is challenging, especially in today’s increasingly competitive market, so any feelings of anxiety, worry or stress that you have are perfectly valid.
If you are concerned that you are unable to cope and your mental health is impacting your general daily functioning, not just your job search, be sure to seek the advice of your GP or access available mental health services.
7. Don’t be afraid to ask for help
There’s an unfortunate misconception that asking for help is a sign of weakness, and many people avoid asking for help for fear of being ridiculed or turned down. However, being able to ask for help is an important life skill, and it can help to prevent further mental health problems in the long run.
If you are struggling with your job search, be sure to ask a trusted friend or family member for help. As we said above, they may have a solution that you’ve not yet thought of.
This is where registering with a recruitment agency such as i2i Recruitment can also be of huge help…
Let us help you with your job search.
Here at i2i Recruitment, our candidates are never just a number to be filtered through the recruitment system.
We take the time to get to know you as an individual through face-to-face meetings, as well as your career ambitions and goals, and will set to work on helping you however you need us to in order to land your perfect role as quickly as possible; whether that’s CV support, interview guidance, putting you forward for appropriate roles to take the pressure off, or providing other helpful advice.
If you’d like to learn more about how we can help support you during your job search, simply register with us below. We also have a wide range of jobs available that you can apply for quickly and easily on our website, so be sure to have a look through those during your hunt!
