Struggling to stay strong while job hunting? We know how demoralizing the job search can be, and how difficult it is not to fall prey to negative thinking and low self-confidence. Here are 5 essential tips for job hunting as a young adult.
Welcome to the jungle! I mean, the job hunt – where you always feel like you’re competing against a pack of wolves. Between market competitiveness, impostor syndrome, and a myriad of nightmarish aspects of this gruesome process, it’s easy to eventually fall into a negative spiral.
While it’s hard sometimes to stay motivated and maintain positivity throughout this experience, there are a few things that may help you keep on keepin’ on. So, we’re here to share some crucial tips for young adults to survive the job hunting journey. And most importantly, to take care of your mental health while doing so!
Some Advice on Job Hunting
Let’s start with the basics, shall we? We know you probably already heard most of these things, but there’s a reason why they’re always mentioned. It’s important to remind ourselves of every small piece of advice that can help us through our job-searching experiences.
Here are a couple of tips and strategies everyone already knows about (but not many do) when it comes to job hunting:
- Network, network, network!
- Research and select potential employers. Visit them in person. Make a great first impression.
- Market yourself. Offer your services through community centers or social media.
- Volunteer. Help your community while gaining practical experience and exploring options.
- Learn to identify and market your transferable skills. Those are the ones that can be used, well, anywhere! Which is really powerful when you think about it.
- Keep realistic expectations: you might have an idea of what the “perfect job” looks like, but finding one that ticks all the boxes can be challenging, especially at the beginning of your career. Try to keep a healthy balance between your aspirations and the realities of the job market.
These ideas, along with creating a concise resume and truly preparing for interviews, should cover the basics of useful things to do when job hunting. But, if this was enough we’d all be pretty happy, right?
You might be doing everything you’re supposed to do, but depending on your industry, job hunting can be discouraging, frustrating, and unnerving.
If enough time passes, negative thoughts start kicking in. It gets harder to believe in yourself when you keep getting rejected time after time, sometimes without so much as even a job interview. And the part of you that wonders ‘Is there anything wrong with me?’ starts getting louder.
Job Search Depression
Dealing with an unsuccessful long-term job hunt can cause emotional distress, generally paired with self-doubt, anxiety, and frustration.
Many factors can play into job search depression:
- Stress from job interviews and the pressure to perform well;
- Mental exhaustion from not knowing when you’ll get a job offer;
- Internal or external pressures stemming from high expectations and leading to disappointment;
- Self-blaming;
- Social anxiety;
- Constant rejection, originating feelings of inadequacy and failure;
- Financial stress, with emptying savings and/or increasing money issues.
Besides these, there is a very significant factor contributing to depression: unemployment. Because being employed brings structure and meaning to one’s life, the opposite can cause disturbances in your well-being, eating and sleeping habits.
It’s perfectly normal to feel like your mental health is deteriorating when you’re facing a prolonged job hunt, especially if you’re jobless. So here are 5 job hunting tips to help young adults keep harmful thoughts and beliefs at bay throughout this process.
Job Search 101: 5 Essential Tips to Keep You Going
1. It’s all about strategy
“Desperate times call for desperate measures”. So you start applying for everything and anything that comes up because, well, you need a job — any job. Doing this actually drains you, and employers know when you’re applying for a job that doesn’t spark your interest or isn’t relevant to your experience.
Take some time to think about what you want: how many hours you want to work, in which field, and the salary range you’d like to earn. To what extent are you okay with accepting something less exciting than what you want? Decide on a strategy and stick to it.
2. Define tasks realistically
Focus on what’s in your control (“I will have a new job next month” isn’t it). For example: how many hours you’ll spend daily on job hunting tasks (i.e., searching for jobs, writing cover letters, preparing for interviews).
Having a daily routine can help provide some structure to your day-to-day. But also: be realistic about these tasks. Setting yourself a goal of applying to five jobs a day is only going to strain you. Think small and achievable.
3. Be gentle to yourself, and don’t take it personally
Remember that rejections aren’t really about your worth, but about fitting into the requirements of a position. Take every rejection as an opportunity to learn and improve your approach to interviews.
We know it’s hard to keep hope, but try to recognize when you’re going into a negative spiral and positively reframe your thoughts. Define strategies to stay positive whenever you feel like the exact opposite.
For example, journaling, having a positive support network, practicing gratitude, or positive self-talk (e.g., “I’m doing the best I can in a tough situation”, “The right job will appear”).
4. Treat yourself to some downtime
Self-care is essential, especially when you’re going through a difficult time. Invest in your hobbies, go for walks, get some fresh air, and exercise. Keep a nourishing and healthy diet, and get enough sleep.
Practice meditation, mindfulness, and/or journaling. And keep in touch with your friends and family! Loneliness is associated with poor mental health, so spend time with your close ones and share your struggles with them.
5. Seek professional help
As they say, it’s easier said than done. You might have tried everything you could and still feel broken — and that’s perfectly normal and okay. Job hunting is such a dire and uncertain process, that it can take its toll on you.
If you find nothing else is working and feel like you need a professional to support you, don’t be afraid to connect with a therapist near you who can help you get through this job hunt in ways that will only benefit you.
Find Support for Young Adults in Baltimore, MD
Are you going through a tough, more unstable time in your life? Have you been dealing with career struggles that are starting to spill over into other areas of your life? Do you feel more demoralized and less confident each day? We’re here to help!
Our Baltimore therapists specialize in working with young adults, helping them overcome difficult life transitions, as well as managing issues like depression, anxiety, and relationship issues. Contact us to know more or get started by scheduling a free 15-minute consultation here!
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