Prioritising Mental Health during your Job Search

The process of seeking a new role can be stressful and challenging, regardless of whether you have been let go or whether you are looking for a better opportunity.

May is mental health awareness month and the team at TRAC wanted to share 7 tips that can help job seekers reduce stress and maintain a positive outlook during the process.

1. Manage expectations: Begin your search with a full understanding of the job search process, including potential duration and obstacles. Knowing what you're up against will help you to stay consistent and persistent in executing your search strategy.
2. Define goals: Acting reactively to job posts will do more harm than good. Before applying to any job, set clear career goals for yourself. Determine what you want to do, where you want to work, and whether you have the necessary experience for the role. This will help you to narrow down your options and target organisations that match your career aspirations..
3. Take breaks: Job searching can be draining and time-consuming, so it's important to take regular breaks to recharge and avoid burnout. Schedule time for daily walks, meditation, or other self-care activities to help with mental peace and clarity, allowing you to be more productive and efficient.
4. Seek support: Talk to specialists or supportive friends and family members. Share your thoughts, feelings, and concerns as this can help keep you grounded and provide unbiased perspectives.
5. Maintain a routine: Stick to a consistent routine to create a sense of stability and reduce feelings of uncertainty. Schedule your search activities like you would schedule any work hours and log off after exceeding a certain time to help clear your mind.
6. Set realistic goals: Setting achievable goals for job applications, interviews, and networking can help build momentum and prevent overwhelm.
7. Practice self-compassion: Job searching can be a challenging experience, and it's important to practice self-compassion and be kind to yourself throughout the process. Understand that rejection is part of the process and that you are doing the best you can. Speak kindly to yourself and remind yourself of your strengths, efforts, and resilience.

We hope these tips can provide some assistance in reducing your stress and anxiety during the job search process. Should you need further elaboration on any of the tips above, do reach out to one of our team members and we would be happy to have a chat to help.

You are doing great and you have got this.