"5 Ways to Manage Job Search Stress During Stress Awareness Month: Take Control of Your Mental Health!"

April is Stress Awareness Month, a time to recognize the impact of stress on our lives and learn strategies to manage it. In the wake of the pandemic, many people have experienced added stress due to layoffs and the state of the economy. Job search can be particularly stressful, as it often involves uncertainty, rejection, and financial strain. If you are in the process of looking for a job, it's important to prioritize your mental health and well-being. Here are five strategies to manage stress during the job search process.

1. Prioritize self-care: It's important to take care of yourself both physically and mentally during the job search process. This means getting enough sleep, eating healthy, and engaging in regular exercise. You might also consider practices like meditation or yoga to help manage stress and promote relaxation. I focused all of these in my first job transition and over 7 months dropped 40 pounds; starting off by walking and building eventually to running.
2. Connect with others: Job search can be isolating, especially if you're working from home or have been laid off. It's important to stay connected with friends and family members for support and encouragement. You might also consider joining a job search support group or networking with others in your industry.

3. Set realistic expectations: Job search can be a lengthy and difficult process, and it's important to set realistic expectations for yourself. Instead of putting pressure on yourself to find a job quickly, focus on taking small steps each day to move forward in your search. Celebrate small successes along the way, such as networking with someone in your industry or receiving positive feedback on your resume. You can get job search burnout if you are not careful, make sure you take breaks and micro-vacations (for example, every 3rd of 4th Friday shutdown at noon-and get away-even if its walking around a lake).

4. Manage financial stress: Financial stress can be a significant source of stress during the job search process. Consider creating a budget to manage your finances and exploring options for temporary work or freelance opportunities to supplement your income. You might also consider talking to a financial advisor or seeking out resources for financial assistance. Part of my Personal Board of Advisors (read my book Hired-Cut Your Career Search in Half ) was my financial advisor to make sure I knew how long my runway was to land my next role.

5. Seek out professional support: If you're struggling with stress or mental health concerns during the job search process, don't hesitate to seek out professional support. This might include talking to a therapist or counselor, joining a support group, or connecting with a career coach.

Overall, managing stress during the job search process is key to maintaining your well-being and increasing your chances of success. By prioritizing self-care, staying connected with others, setting realistic expectations, managing financial stress, and seeking out professional support, you can navigate the job search process with greater ease and resilience. Remember that you are not alone, and that there are resources and support available to help you through this challenging time. Reach out and let's connect and see how I can help.

George Murray is a highly experienced Global Operations and Supply Chain Leader, Army Veteran, and #1 Best Selling and Award-winning Author of the book, HIRED: CUT YOUR CAREER SEARCH TIME IN HALF. With years of coaching and mentoring professional executives and businesses to achieve their goals, George is an expert in helping them bridge the gap from where they are now to where they want to be. He understands the challenges that business owners and leaders face when it comes to finding and retaining talented employees. In his book, he provides answers on how to Ignite, Engage, and Retain both long-term and new employees, by creating a company culture that makes people feel valued and appreciated. If you want to make your company a place where everyone feels important and needed, IGNITE. ENGAGE. RETAIN. is a must-read for you.