You are not imagining it – job searches are taking much longer than they used to, leading to candidates getting fatigue. A survey of 2,500 people found it takes, on average, 3.8 months to secure a job after investing 6.5 hours a week on searching and sending off 162 applications.
It’s no mean feat, then, to secure your next role, and no wonder people get worn out by the process. Here’s how you can combat job search fatigue and win.
Finding a new job is a marathon, not a sprint
Making it through a lengthy job search is all about managing your energy for the long-term. You are the tortoise, not the hare. The marathon runner, not the 100-metre sprinter.
This means you need some structure to your search, and some boundaries to stop it being all-consuming. Allocate two-four hours (maximum) each day to searching job sites and applying for roles and add variety to keep you engaged. You could sit on the sites all day, but that would soon be exhausting.
Make sure you take breaks, so job applications don’t feel like the only thing you’re doing. Plan in some time for a walk, time with friends or a hobby to re-energise. This is especially important if you’re searching for a job after having been made redundant or if you’re returning to the workforce after a break.
Mini goals for the win
Instead of focusing only on the big prize – securing that new role – set yourself a series of mini goals. Research shows that breaking down big goals into smaller, more achievable parts helps improve consistency, build momentum and increase motivation, while fending off burnout.
Your goal for the week needs to be within your control, so think about goals like: “I will apply for three suitable roles,” rather than: “I will secure two interviews,”.
Make sure to also focus on the broader things you can do, such as meeting contacts for a cuppa and catch up, volunteering to gain new skills or networking to meet new people. This is still a way to advance your job search, as it helps people know you’re on the look-out for the right opportunity, and could get you access to the hidden jobs market – where roles aren’t widely advertised.
Stay positive, but be ready to manage the rejections
You’d be a rarity if you applied for only one role and were successful, so rejection is just part of the job search journey. Trying to stay positive while feeling like you’re not making progress can be tricky, and it’s even harder after you are offered some hope in the form of an interview. (I’ve written about how to manage rejection after an interview here.)
Try to look objectively at what meant you weren’t successful. Is there anything you can learn and change next time? Combine this with a reality check about what is working too. What can you build on to increase your chances of success?
Job search fatigue needs persistence and perseverance to combat it, but it is possible.
Never stop improving
Making sure your CV stays relevant becomes more important the longer your search goes on. Think about how can you boost it with extra things – that could be a course, learning about a new system or technique relevant to your sector, or a book you’ve read? Having a life-long approach to learning will always put you in a stronger position and give you a way to refresh your CV. It can also be a way to show an edge over other candidates at interview.
Get the right support for your job search
Working with a qualified career coach gives you a neutral and knowledgeable partner to help you navigate the choppy waters of identifying the right role and then securing it. I support clients to stay positive during what can be a very stressful and emotional time, to find positives among the many knockbacks, and to stay resilient and keep going.
Having helped people secure new roles for more than 15 years, I’ve seen how the market has evolved, watched all the trends come and go, and been able to help my clients present themselves positively for the perfect position.
So if you need to know how to combat job search fatigue and win, draw on my extensive experience and support to help you be successful – arrange a free chat by emailing me.
