Keeping Your Emotional Balance When Finding A New Role

No doubt searching for a new role can be emotionally draining. Everyone tells you to stay positive but, in reality, that can be difficult to do, especially when you are in a hurry to move roles or find a new job after being made redundant. It can be a roller coaster of emotion after you've had several positive interviews followed by rejections. 

How do you stay emotionally fit when you just want to eat your weight in ice cream and wash it down with a bottle of wine or two?

Acknowledge Your Emotions

First, it helps to acknowledge how you are feeling in a situation. Are you tense, unhappy, anxious, optimistic, bullish? Regardless of what the emotion is positive or negative, feel it and acknowledge it because what you are feeling is OK and normal.

Remember you have full control over your emotions and the actions that stem from those emotions. Imagine this scenario: you wake up feeling like you haven't had enough sleep, you stub your toe on the end of the bed, you discover you've run out of bread and milk, so that means no breakfast for you. Your favourite shirt is unironed, adding more time that you don't have to iron it (and now you'll probably be late for work). You finally get out the door after spilling coffee on your freshly ironed shirt while struggling to get the door open. You get stuck in traffic about 5 minutes into your trip then struggle to find a car park when you do finally get to work.

Chances are you'd be feeling pretty frustated and be in a bad mood which will impact the rest of your day, and everyone's around you.

Or you can decide that your negative start can be turned around and all the bad stuff is behind you. You slap a smile on your face and choose to be happy and forget the last 1-2 hours. Option 2 sounds much better, doesn't it?

The same applies to how you feel about your job search. Once you have acknowledged how you feel, put a smile on your face, turn on your favourite music and get into a more positive mental state.

Check Your Diet

Your health and fitness play a role in your emotions. You probably feel like eating crisps, devouring soft drinks (or alcohol) and sleeping all day. But the opposite is what is required in this circumstance. Getting 8 hours sleep a night and eating a nutritious diet can make you feel happier as you are giving your body the nutrients it needs.

Get Some Exercise

Exercise is one of the best remedies. Exercise gives you endorphins, and endorphins make you happy. That is a scientific fact! I am not saying you need to run a marathon but getting some exercise, even a light walk each day, can make you feel happier and less emotional instantly.

Don't Take It Personally

Rejection isn't fun, but we have all been there at some stage. You might feel invisible at times when a recruiter or employer isn't getting back to you. There are many reasons why they might not be responding, so don't let your mind imagine all sorts of scenarios. Just continue your job search as you have been doing, and if you are right for the role, the recruiter or employer will be in touch.

Friends

If you need an instant pick me up, an excellent place to start is by calling a good friend who you know will give you the ego & emotional boost you might be needing. Spending time with friends who uplift and support you, aka friend therapy, is a cure for most ailments, including the job search blues.

You have the power within you to change how you are feeling, so use these tips to turn your frown upside down. One final note – believe in yourself and your ability and stay focused on what you want, and you can make it happen.