Job searching can be a relentless process. You may often find yourself in a never-ending cycle of applications, interviews, and tests only to receive bad news in the end – or no news at all. Job rejection is a natural part of a job search. While it can be discouraging, believe it or not, there is a silver lining.
The key is to find a healthy approach to job hunting, focus on the positive aspects of the process, and adopt best practices to remain motivated, resilient, and healthy.
Why Do You Need a Healthy Positive Outlook When Looking for Jobs?
According to the American Psychological Association, 3 out of 5 employees experience negative mental and physical impacts due to work.¹ Even if you do land that job, what if you’re already exhausted and burned out? To maintain a solid personal brand and ensure career success, you need to stay positive even before you start with a new company.
Read more: Why Aren’t You Getting Hired? 14 Factors That Hold You Back
Consequences of an Unhealthy Job Search
A healthy approach to job hunting not only prevents burnout but also fuels future endeavors. Maintaining a positive mindset clears your mind, allowing you to focus on finding opportunities instead of limiting yourself with negativities. If you’re experiencing burnout, it’s best to recognize it early on.
Here are some consequences of a negative outlook.
1. You may become unmotivated.
One of the first signs that your job search has already affected you is the loss of motivation. Finding the energy to move forward can be hard, making you lose interest in sifting through other job listings, tailoring your resume, crafting cover letters, or responding to job offers.
2. You make bad decisions.
Burnout can easily cloud your judgment. This may lead you to make rash decisions, like accepting the first job offer you get without considering the job details, other opportunities, or overall organization fit.
3. You refrain from seeking help.
Networking is vital in a job search. Isolating yourself from social and professional interactions only prevents you from gaining insider information about potential job leads.
4. It affects your interview performance.
Rejections can be detrimental and may cause you to struggle with presenting yourself in future interviews. They may lead you to lose enthusiasm for new opportunities, not answer questions well, or forget to highlight relevant achievements.
5. You set aside skill development.
Often, job rejections are caused by the lack of necessary skills for the job. However, instead of honing them, you might end up looking for the same role without even improving yourself, making you less competitive in the job market.
6. It leads to health issues.
Burnout can lead to an unhealthy lifestyle. Aside from chronic stress, sleep deprivation, and headaches, you may end up making poor health choices. This can cause you to avoid exercise, eat unhealthy food, and sleep late—or too much.
How To Improve Your Mental Health: 5 Job Search Strategies
The goal is to avoid the consequences of negativity mentioned above. How? These job-hunting strategies will help you remain resilient and build a positive mindset as you navigate the complexities of work.
1. Stick to a schedule.
Job seekers, whether passive or active, should schedule their job search. Instead of randomly checking job boards, allot a specific time during the week to structure your approach. Job searching is already an unpredictable process, with lots of possible rejections. If you don’t put order to it, you may easily get overwhelmed.
You may be a passive job seeker looking for a career change. It would be best not to randomly check for job opportunities. Pick a day and specific hour that doesn’t interrupt your existing job. Maybe there are specific times during the week where you have less responsibilities, or slow Mondays and Fridays. The goal here is to allot your resources to finding job vacancies without needing to be on a constant lookout.
If you’re unemployed, you may have lots of time during the day to dedicate to your job search. This is the best time to tailor your resume and learn new skills like time management. However, don’t forget to have breaks to refresh your mind. Don’t rush. Take the time to find relevant opportunities and improve your overall value as a worker.
2. Find your support system.
As we have mentioned earlier, finding a supportive network is crucial. Aside from professional connections, share your experiences with your family and friends. These people will be your source of encouragement when things get rough.
Plus, if they have valuable insights to share, it could potentially increase your chances of landing an interview. You may ask for advice and identify areas for improvement.
- How do you present yourself and communicate?
- Do you lack some skills?
- Can they help you engage in a mock interview process?
- Are you missing some key information they might shed light on?
While not always guaranteed, these people can be extremely beneficial in providing emotional support. A simple motivational speech can already mean the difference between taking the initiative or waiting another day. So, surround yourself with positive people.
3. Broaden your relationship and professional reach.
We can’t stress this enough. Professional acquaintances are not just there to help you get promoted or find potential job opportunities. They can also be a great opportunity to increase your motivation and keep you ahead of the game.
Social media websites like LinkedIn, for example, are a great space to learn industry knowledge, trends, and tips. These can all offer career advice and help you with your job application. Aside from this, you can also engage in professional events, workshops, conferences, or online webinars. You’ll never know who you might meet in these gatherings—maybe an employer looking for talent; maybe a staffing firm specializing in matching jobseekers with fulfilling opportunities.
4. Reframe your mindset about rejections.
Instead of looking at rejections as setbacks, focus on the positive learning opportunities. Interview questions are specifically designed to assess an applicant’s skills. If you’re receiving rejections, there may be things you need to improve. For example, if you’re looking for an industrial role in Wisconsin, consider whether you already have the relevant skills.
- Have you taken the right certifications?
- Do you have relevant work experience?
- Are you open to learning more about your work?
- Are you adaptable, especially with the use of technology?
These are just a few things that you need to consider. Depending on the work you’re applying for, make sure to hone yourself to make yourself a perfect fit for the job. At the end of the day, you’re not the only one applying for the role.
Ask yourself: What makes you more valuable among a group of applicants? This way you can focus on improving your skills and find success in getting job offers.
5. Practice self-care and a healthy lifestyle.
Last but not least, don’t forget about your physical and mental health. In the world of work, your body and mind are your greatest assets in performing a job. Beyond that, good health practices will help you maintain a healthy mindset as you face work challenges.
Start with your body.
Did you know that nourishing your body not only builds physical stamina and strength but also hones your mental resilience? Of course, you don’t have to sign up for a yearly contract at the gym right away. Start simple.
- Take walks in the morning.
- Follow online yoga sessions.
- Sleep at the right time.
- Eat nutrient-rich foods.
This will give you the energy and clarity you need to push through.
Be mindful.
Practice self-awareness through mindfulness. This will help you focus on the present without spiraling into mental chaos.
There are many ways to achieve this. Some simple ways to start are exercising, meditation, and learning breathing techniques. This will give you a clearer mind, setting emotions aside and bringing rationality to the forefront. It helps combat anxieties, making the job search not a stressful but an enriching experience.
Start a hobby.
Taking up a hobby might sound counterproductive since you’re spending so much time finding a job! However, research shows that simply creating an artwork can lower your stress.² When you’re doing something you love, it can improve health, boost happiness, reduce depression, and increase satisfaction.
Hobbies can provide a sense of accomplishment and joy. Of course, you don’t have to stick to art if that’s not your forte. You can read a book, play an instrument, hike, climb a mountain, or engage in sports. The key is finding a hobby that requires mastery so you can have a pastime to recharge your energy. Be sure to balance healthy hobbies as well, as some hobbies, especially digital entertainment, can harm your physical health.
Related article: Make a Lasting Impression: How to Excel in Your First 30 Days at a New Job
Find job interviews with Hughes Recruiting and Consulting.
It’s time to find meaningful work! Hughes Recruiting and Consulting specializes in matching candidates with employers, helping job seekers find fulfilling careers.
We have a selection of clerical, industrial, and professional jobs waiting for talented individuals like yourself. Don’t let your last job rejection prevent you from reaching your dreams. Contact us today!
References
- “The American workforce faces compounding pressure.” American Psychological Association, 2021, https://www.apa.org/pubs/reports/work-well-being/compounding-pressure-2021
- Parkhurst, Emma. “How Hobbies Improve Mental Health.” Utah State University, 25 Oct. 2021, https://extension.usu.edu/mentalhealth/articles/how-hobbies-improve-mental-health
