The stress of conducting a job search can become overwhelming to someone trying to find new employment. This can especially be true if your current situation finds you in the position of being unemployed (or soon to be out of a job). The pressure of finding new employment can negatively impact your health, relationships, and (ultimately) your ability to find a job, therefore, creating a vicious circle of activity.
Many years ago, I asked a seasoned leader how they managed stress, as they were in a very demanding position but never outwardly showed the strain. I still remember their response and try to apply it (not always successfully). Their answer was to “focus on what you can control”. In other words, your energies, thoughts, etc. should be expended on the efforts that you own. There are other outside variables that cannot be controlled by you, so they only serve as a negative distraction. A distraction to not only to your efforts, but also your thoughts, therefore creating stress for you.
In terms of a job search, this is a good news/bad news type of situation, in that there are many things in the process of finding new employment that you can control. Unfortunately, the biggest one…being offered new employment you can’t do by yourself. Similarly, the time a recruiter spends reviewing resumes, the timing of the interview process, etc. is generally not in your control. So, the key is to focus on what you can directly control and do it well, then not only have you made your best effort, but perhaps you can also positively influence the process controlled by others.
• Schedule Your Time Accordingly: Create a schedule that allows you to balance your job search and other activities, such as your current employment (if applicable) and family responsibilities. By creating a schedule that you can adhere to, you will be able to balance the search time needed with your other requirements, reducing any stress to your life. While your job search does not have to be the equivalent of a full-time job, it does need to be a priority if you are going to do it well.
• Create Your Best Document Templates: By creating excellent Cover Letter, Resume, and Thank You Note templates you will be able to quickly customize these documents as needed for the occasion. For an extra set of eyes, have someone else that you trust (for their proofreading skills) review all your documents. Hiring Managers do not start reviewing documents thinking that a candidate lacks attention to detail, they only draw that conclusion when they read typographical errors. You control the narrative regarding your focus on quality by the product that you submit for review.
• Do Your Research: A Hiring Manager assumes you are interested in the position and that you will spend some time doing basic research on the company. You create interest doubts within the interviewer when you have not come prepared to a job discussion with a working awareness of the position posting or the company. Do not over commit to a schedule (whether that be a phone screen or an in-person interview) that does not allow you time to do your preparation work.
• Prepare For Frequently Asked Questions: Very few interview questions should throw you for a loop to the point where you can’t respond with at least a partially rehearsed answer. On the wnyjobs.com website, we have multiple articles posted that exclusively focus on what some of those questions are and provide you with suggested ways to answer. By doing this, you may not be able to control how the interviewer interprets your answers, but you can present to them what you want to share.
• Network: By networking, you can find out information about a prospective company that is not readily accessible or being provided by the organization. This can come from connecting with current employees or people who used to work for the employer. Networking can also be used (especially with current employees) to obtain advocacy assistance. as they tell the hiring manager what a great hire you will be.
• Guide Your References: The reference check process provides you with a unique opportunity to have others validate for you the message you have been presenting about your qualifications. So, it is a good strategy to make sure you guide your references towards providing the answers that you want them to present.
There are many moving parts to a job search. Many of which, as outlined above, you can control with the effort, strategy, and time placed on the task. By focusing on what you can control, you will not only produce a better product for the prospective employer to evaluate but help to alleviate the job search stress and jitters that many endure.
As always, best of luck in your job search.
The following has been prepared for the general information of WNYJobs readers. It is not meant to provide advice with respect to any specific legal or policy matter and should not be acted upon without verification by the reader.
Joe Stein
WNY Human Resources Professional
Feel free to contact Joe Stein regarding questions or comments at:
Joe Stein
