Job hunting is a little like dating, right? For example, the constant risk of rejection and having a hard time finding “the one.” For these reasons, looking for a new job can cause some people a lot of anxiety. Fortunately, if you find yourself in this position, there are tactics you can use to overcome your fears. Here are some of the more common frightening aspects of job searching and what you can do about them.
No one wants you. There are some realities to face if you find that no one will hire you. You are either shooting too high based on your skill set or you’re underprepared for the process. The good news is, you can work to improve either of these realities. If you’re underqualified for jobs, ask around to some mentors why your resume doesn’t have what it takes and see if you can attend some classes or training to get to where you want to be. If you’re not interviewing well or your resume needs revamping, seek out some help from a career counselor for those issues.
You’ll be unhappy. Starting a new job can create some fears because you don’t know what to expect. You can certainly feel out a new employer to see if it’s a good fit for you before you accept a position. Asking questions about their expectations of you and researching the reviews of a company gives you better insight about working for them. Noticing the vibe of the company when you interview also helps you know if the company environment is a pleasant place to work or not.
It’ll take forever. When you’re sending out resumes, you can spend a lot of time just waiting to hear back from a potential employer. Plus, there’s all the time invested in tailoring each cover letter and resume you send out for each position. Because of this, control the time you devote to the process. Simply schedule shorter job search sessions where you devote yourself to applying for a few jobs at a time.
Searching for a job is one of those tasks that you’ll dread at the time but be so happy about if things turn out for the best. The key is to just not let it overwhelm you. Rejection and fear of the unknown really affects you and freezes you in fear if you don’t master these feelings—and then you’ll never get a new job. Prepping yourself ahead of time goes a long way in calming some of these fears.
The Secret to Overcoming Job Hunt Procrastination
Your 8 Biggest Job Search Fears and How to Conquer Them
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