Four tips to help take the stress out of job-hunting
The job application process can be both exhilarating and daunting. It’s common for stress levels to rise as we navigate applications, driven by the fear of rejection or uncertainty about the future – especially with anticipated layoffs on the horizon.
To help manage these emotions, experts at Meditopia, a comprehensive mental health platform, have shared four tips for tackling the challenges at every stage – from application to interview.
While searching for a new job can be exciting, for many, it can also trigger significant anxiety – especially fear of making mistakes. So, how can you cope? Here are four straightforward strategies to help you stay calm and focused.
1) Remind yourself this is a process
Finding a new job won’t happen in just one day. If you’re not called for an interview for your first application, don’t worry about it. See if you can view this as just another opportunity to review your application again, seeing what works and what doesn’t. It’s normal to feel nervous in the face of the uncertainty of the job hunt, so be understanding toward yourself. A little self-compassion can go a long way.
2) Make sure you’re properly prepared
When applying for a job, it’s very important to have a CV prepared in the right format. If you’re called for an interview after preparing your CV and applying for a job, try to embrace your emotions like anxiety and excitement as it’s very normal to feel that way.
These emotions can help clarify your purpose, but if you let them consume you, you’re more likely to stress yourself out even more. You have a higher chance of success if you go into the interview with a calm state of mind. Before the interview, make sure to gather information about the company and the position you’ve applied for as well as a list of what you’re bringing to the table. Know your worth!
3) Consider each interview as an experience
It’s very important to remember that each job interview is an experience you can learn something from. So, consider both your own conclusion and the feedback given to you by the interviewers as you prepare for future interviews. That way, you can review and tweak things to be better prepared next time.
Growth is important and being able to take in constructive feedback and apply it to your advantage is a skill that takes time. Don’t let it damage your self-confidence, because when you know your worth the other people around you feel that and you’ll be able to communicate more easily and clearly.
4) Embrace the fear of rejection
Considering a job interview as a learning experience, whether the outcome is positive or negative, will only serve you in the future. When it comes to work, the rule of right time, right place applies. Of course, there’s a suitable job for everyone.
Maybe you need more time. You may be rejected several times until the right time comes around. But, how can you be sure that it’s not going to open a door to a better job in the future? Not giving up despite the rejections you get can be challenging sometimes, but this process can open up space for improvement and guide you toward positive growth.
Sometimes we may not have the courage to apply for a job and sometimes we may try to find another spot for ourselves in another field. We may feel angry, rejected, or sad. These are very natural reactions. However, what’s important here is not the reason for rejection but the meaning we attribute to it.
There are many parameters considered when evaluating an application and every company has different expectations and understandings of competency. So, being rejected by company A doesn’t mean that you won’t be a great fit for company B. Shifting your perspective toward one of growth through learning what each job application has to offer can have a major impact on your mood throughout the process.
