How to Job Hunt Without Losing Your Sanity

Last year, I spent a major part of July and August job hunting with no results. At night, I would be on job boards searching for available positions in any field. The few responses I got back were rejections, and most others were silence.

By September, I was ready to give up, and when I finally landed a job interview, I almost bungled it. Although I knew rejections did not impact my self-worth, I was hesitant to approach the job market.

This year, I realized the need to approach job hunting with a healthier mindset. I understand now that rejections and ghosting are part of the search process. In this article, I will walk you through a few steps to help you job hunt without losing your sanity.

The Mental Toll of Job Hunting

Job hunting can be an arduous task. There are many factors or blocks in place to stress you out. From the rejections that eat at your confidence to the pressure to secure a well-paying gig. For me, the silent rejections hurt the most. It would be nice to receive feedback on what I could do better next time.

Feeling discouraged on your journey is normal, and you are not alone. The reality of most job seekers is sending out applications with a few replies, like ten replies out of fifty. About 40% of unemployed people didn’t land a job interview in 2024, and I wonder how many applications they sent out.

5 Steps to Job Hunt Without Losing Your Sanity

Now that you’re aware of the mental strain, it is important to know how to maintain your sanity while job hunting. Here are a few steps to guide you along.

1. Set Realistic Expectations

Shifting your focus to see job hunting as a process makes it easier to persevere and stay positive. Most of the jobs you apply for won’t reach out to you, so try not to daydream about these positions. A few general tips that have helped me are:

– Setting aside two hours each day for job searching

– Avoiding job boards that send me down the rabbit hole of doom scrolling

– Tailoring my resume to each role I apply for

– Using spreadsheets to keep track of applications I send

– Cold contacting professionals in my industry and network about available positions

– Practicing for interviews with my friends to work out how best to sell myself

Remember, quality trumps quantity. I would rather apply to five openings with a process than rush through twenty with none.

2. Organize the Process

Once you’ve set clear expectations of your job hunt, the next step is to organize the process. By using Google Sheets or Eztrackr, you can take notes of the applications you’ve applied for. A lot of recruiters reach out after a while, and you might have forgotten the role details.

To save time, use templates for your resumes and cover letters to avoid writing them from scratch. It’s important to create a system that reduces the stress that comes with decision-making. Keep checklists to watch and keep track of your progress.

3. Guard Your Mental Health

It’s important to schedule breaks from job hunting. Your current job, unemployment, and the job hunt might be tiring, so boundaries are crucial. Try not to doomscroll job listings on Glassdoor or LinkedIn all day.

A lot of us have attached our self-worth to our employment status. We start to feel less because our job isn’t satisfactory, and rejections feel personal. Your identity and self-worth are not tied to your job description, and rejections don’t make you a failure.

4. Lean On Your Community

Talking about your experiences with friends can reduce your feelings of loneliness. Shared experiences can open doors to insights and tips that might help you on your search. The encouragement that accompanies these conversations is also good for you.

Communities can provide you with up-to-date information on industry trends and practices. Also, community members sharing their journeys can help refine your strategy and avoid common mistakes.

5. Engage in Other Activities

Recording wins outside your job hunt gives you a sense that something is working. Ensure you do not abandon your hobbies and activities that bring you joy. Focus on tiny wins like the one recruiter that reached out or the advancement to an interview. Even wins outside your job search are valid.

Read Also: Activities to Try When You Feel Drained

Final Thoughts

Job hunting is a temporary process that comes to an end. You are not alone on this journey, so try not to be too hard on yourself. Be patient and open to refining your strategies until you see results.

How do you maintain your sanity while job hunting? Leave a comment; let’s talk about it.