5 Ways to Reduce Stress While Job Searching - Margaret Buj - Interview Coach

5 Ways to Reduce Stress While Job Searching Anyone who has been between jobs will know that it can be an extremely stressful time. Having to eat into your savings to tide you over, worrying finding a job you will like, feeling nervous about your first day at a new company or generally feeling at a loose end while you are in between positions are all factors that make hunting for and starting a new job one of the most stressful events in your life. Since we all need a job to pay the bills it’s well worth looking to cut the stress. Here’s our guide on how to do that… Friends and family One of the first things to consider is getting external help, especially if looking for work makes you feel stressed. This can be as simple asking friends, family and other business contacts if they know of any roles going in the company you work for or if they can put a good word in for you. After all, a 2012 report from ABC News showed that 80% of jobs are landed through networking. You might be surprised, too, as to what tips and tricks your friends and family might have picked up over the years. Recruitment company However, if you’ve not got a network of relevant contacts to fall back on, then you can still call on external help by utilising the services of a recruitment company. These companies act to fill the void, giving you professional advice and networking opportunities that can ease the burden. Specialist companies are especially handy for giving you an insight into your chosen industry. So, if you’re in teaching you’ll want to enlist the services of someone like EduStaff, for example, who will have the knowledge you need to match your abilities, experiences and expectations to a post. Specialist organisations should also have close relationships with individual employers, getting you the ear of the right people. Upload CV Job hunters can also do themselves the power of good by making it easy for recruiters to find them. Internet jobs boards, such as those run by the Guardian, Indeed and CV Library, allow you to upload your CV so that companies can see your credentials. It gives you a decent chance of catching the eye of someone without even needing to trawl through listings looking for the right post for you. Don’t expect a response from every application It might be tough but when you’re sending off applications every day you should not worry if you don’t hear back from the majority of employers. Employers will not answer all applications or they may only answer with a stock rejection email but this is to be expected, don’t sit around expecting a lengthy response. With so many applicants, there will not be time to read every application and they may already have filled the job or created a shortlist by the time you have applied. So do not get discouraged if you don’t get the responses you want and don’t wait to hear from one job before you move on to looking at another, that will slow you down and lead to disappointment. Keep to a regular routine One of the most stressful things about job hunting while unemployed is the sense of being at a loss for what to do. With no regular job and routine it can get you down. You need to replace the work routine with a new routine of your own. There is no need to work 8 hours a day sending off CVs but if you wake up as you would for work and have allotted slots for breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as recreational activities you will find your mood improves. Perhaps work in some relaxation techniques or physical activity into your daily routine and you will find the stressful feelings are kept at bay and you will be able to sleep better. For more information, read this article about exercising to relieve stress and relaxation techniques. Author bio: Debbie Fletcher is an enthusiastic, experienced writer who has written for a range of different magazines and news publications over the years. Graduating from City University London specialising in English Literature, Debbies passion for writing has since grown. She loves anything and everything technology, and exploring different cultures across the world. Shes currently looking towards starting her Masters in Comparative Literature in the next few years.