Speak Up. Reach Out is Freshered's mental health initiative.
Job hunting can be a very mentally taxing process. Not only is it a lot of work, but there’s also quite a bit of uncertainty about the future involved. While sometimes it might work out that you find your next job right away, a lot of the time it takes a fair amount of time. Facing rejection can be exceptionally difficult, and it’s easy to feel low when it’s been piling on. However, there are several things to do to look after yourself and boost your mental health while on the job hunt.
Take Your Time
It’s easy to feel like you’re in a rush when you’re applying for jobs, especially if money is tight. However, filling out a bunch of applications quickly each day won’t necessarily help you out more than filling out a few applications with care and attention to detail. Instead of worrying about every job you could take on, select a few top options and take the time to write an application that will stand out from the rest.
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Reach Out
Unemployment is highly stigmatized, so it can feel isolating when you don’t have a job. However, it’s important to reach out to friends and family during this process. Chances are, the people you know have gone through something similar and can relate to your experience. They might even be able to help you out. Having these conversations can help lighten the burden of stress you’re carrying around.
Set Goals
It can be easy to lose focus outside of the regular routine of a job. Setting daily goals can help you stay on track and crucially, know when to quit for the day. Try not to overreach too much, and make sure each task is manageable. For example, on a given day you might complete four job applications, send a follow-up email, water your plants and cook dinner. Once you’ve completed everything on your list, then you can kick back and relax.
Celebrate Small Victories
It can be difficult to cope with rejection emails, but remember that each job that you get rejected from is a job that you spent the time and effort applying for — and that in itself is worth being proud of. Try to praise yourself for the effort you put in, rather than the results you get out.
Make Time For You
It’s also fine to not be applying for jobs every single day. Take time to do the things you love, whether that’s having a bubble bath, spending time with friends, or going on a hike. After all, once you get a job, you’ll be longing for time off, so why not enjoy it while you have it?
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