Surviving the Job Search Process

Take the necessary steps to ensure your job search experience is a positive one – and that includes knowing when to take a break!

While it’s not uncommon for job hunts to drag on longer than expected – especially now with the global pandemic and recovery from recession – you should also keep in mind that there’s no hard-and-fast rule about the process, and it could very well take longer than you first expected.

There’s no need to fret, though, so keep your sanity by acknowledging that it’s perfectly fine for others to have vastly different job search experiences.

Attaining your ideal career can be a stressful journey, so if you see your peers miraculously scoring desired positions within a month of graduation, don’t compare yourself to them and let it demotivate you. Shake off that pressure by making your job hunt a positive and productive experience instead!

Right on target

Planning your job search journey can make the process less arduous and more enjoyable.

1

2

Make it bite-sized

How many resumes and cover letters do you think you should send out in a day? How about in a week? Give yourself achievable daily targets and small deadlines to feel more accomplished and driven throughout the process.

Keep tabs on your progress

Keep a journal detailing your job search. Alternatively, if you prefer lists, start a file documenting the companies and positions you’ve applied for.

Creating and maintaining your journal or list will not only keep your job hunt organised, it’ll also drop 3

some hints on which resumes and cover letters are working, and which ones may need a tweak or two.

Reward yourself

With your daily goals keeping you on track, and your journal or list recording your journey, there’s little else to do but reward yourself when you hit your targets!

It doesn’t have to be anything big or grand; you can indulge in your favourite game for a few more hours or simply set a date with some friends. This will keep you feeling motivated and ready to meet your next objective.

Pause and play

1

2

Pick up some activities

Doing the same thing over and over again with no respite and little results is enough to drive even the most patient person up the wall.

So leave your home for a bit – go for a short walk and take deep breaths of some much-needed fresh air. Just be sure to keep safe distancing measures in mind! The time out will help you regain some perspective. You can also take the time to run some errands, catch up with friends over a cup of coffee and just take your mind off your job search for some time.

If you feel guilty about stepping out for a while, don’t be. Taking breaks is different from slacking – it’s not about avoiding work, but about taking planned breaks to raise productivity!

If you’re in the middle of serving a quarantine order, or are alarmed by the high case numbers, take things virtual instead. Catch up with friends over Zoom pizza or tea parties. Alternatively, you can keep it simple with a WhatsApp video call.

Get moving, get sweaty

When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, which can trigger an overall positive feeling. Moving and exercising is thus a good way to limber up your body after sitting in front of a screen for hours on end, all while relieving the pressure building up in your body and between your temples. 3

Tailor your exercise to your level of capability – if you can’t run, take a brisk walk through the park or jump rope in your living room. If the very idea of rock climbing gives you chills, settle for an easy game of badminton with friends or do sit ups in your bedroom to a music playlist. If you’re looking to rid yourself of some frustration, consider martial arts, such as Muay Thai or Taekwondo. You can even explore the different versions of yoga available to you – which, contrary to popular belief, isn’t just about stretching.

Do some good

Consider volunteering at organisations that align with your interests. Not only will it get you out of your house and moving, it’ll also give you the opportunity to think beyond whatever is going on in your job hunt. You can also consider organising virtual charity drives as well if that’s more up your alley, too.

Recruiters have also been known to keep an eye out for passionate candidates, so committing to a cause close to your heart can help you expand your talking points during job interviews.

Moreover, to make the experience count more, figure out how you can tie in your volunteering stint with your intended area of work.

For instance, non-profit organisations usually have volunteer positions for communications and IT, so aspiring media and tech professionals can gain some experience there before moving on to the corporate world. 4

5

Pick up some classes

While you may not see the need to dive back into classes so soon after graduation, these can help you pick up new skills that may add value to your resume – such as those in languages and coding.

On the other hand, there’s absolutely no harm in taking up leisurely classes in art and craft, or even music.

These classes can serve as a good distraction, engaging your mind in an otherwise challenging time, and are also good opportunities to pick up skills you may have always wanted to master (but never found the time to) before you’re bound to a job.

Moreover, the remote nature of living and learning now means that there are many online courses and classes you can register for, with some even for free!

Switch off Everything. All your electronic devices. This may be the toughest thing to do especially in this day and age, but take the time out to recharge and ignore all those Facebook and Instagram updates.

There’s also the added benefit of disregarding any negative feedback passed on through messages or emails that may put a damper on your spirits as you continue on your journey to find a job that suits you!