If you’re looking for a job or working on a career change during this time of year, you’ve hit a double whammy with stress levels. Not only is job hunting one of the most demanding pursuits, but it’s also the holiday season. As much joy and cheer and celebration that comes in the month of December, this time of the year is also notoriously stressful. There’s a lot of planning, purchasing, gift wrapping, cooking, hosting, maybe even caroling, and on and on. Imagine you’re doing those things plus resume building, writing cover letters, preparing for interviews, researching companies, and buying business casual outfits. It’s a lot all at once.
With that in mind, we’re adding one more thing to your plate: take care of yourself. Managing stress levels can directly impact your outlook on something like hunting for a job, where some of the key tools to success are positivity and perseverance.
Below we offer a few tips on ways to stay calm while job hunting (especially during the holidays.)
Take a short walk
Sometimes we get so focused on completing tasks, like looking for job postings and submitting the most amount of applications, that we can lose sight of our original goals. Everything blurs into a foggy cloud. Stepping away from computers (or technology in general) and getting a little bit of exercise can help reset and refocus. Neglecting our health during times of stress will only exacerbate those feelings.
Examine your goals
If you feel like the stress of job hunting is getting to you, maybe it’s time to reevaluate your goals or even write out some new ones. By stepping back and looking at the broader picture, you might find areas in your efforts that could be more tailored, specific, or even scrapped altogether. It can also reinvigorate your efforts—you’ll remember why you’re working so hard.
Talk to a friend or family member
Looking for a job can feel like a solo endeavor with a lot of ups and downs, so communicating with a friend or family member who believes in you can alleviate some of the anxiety. Sometimes they offer new perspective that helps turn around your own feelings about the job hunt.
Write it all down
If you feel like you carry your stress inside of you, it can help to write down what’s bothering you. If you had a frustrating day of interviews or you couldn’t find a job listing that interested you, jot down your feelings. Sometimes putting that all on the paper, instead of carrying it in our heads, clears the mind and helps keep us focused on the tasks ahead.
Stop in a no-cost career center
Whether you’re looking for work at your own house, in a library, or at a school, staring at a computer for hours on end, scrolling through hundreds and hundreds of job listings can feel overwhelming. Stopping into a no-cost Goodwill Career Center offers something unique—human interaction. Our dedicated career advisors can assist you with so many aspects of job hunting. Sometimes all you need is the feeling that someone is on your side.
You can visit a no-cost Goodwill Career Center and ask a career advisor for assistance with your job hunt. Call 602-535-4444 to find a center near you or visit our locations page. Good luck with your job search!
