If you’re facing another rejection and beginning to feel weighed down by the job search process, you are not alone. It’s easy to see how endless hours of searching for suitable jobs and crafting unique applications can take a toll on you, both mentally and physically, and it’s important to step back and see the bigger picture so that you can stay resilient and maintain good mental health while you are securing your new job.
In Ireland, the employment market is vibrant and there are vacancies at all levels in many exciting industries. However, if you haven’t yet found the right fit for you, read on for our top tips on staying resilient. At CareerWise, we have all the information and support you need to get ahead in the job-hunting process and we can help you every step of the way.
If you’ve been in the cycle of applications and rejections for a while, you may be feeling anxious or noticing that this is affecting your self-esteem. This is normal, and it’s great to be aware of it and take steps to break the cycle.
Understanding the potential impact of the process on your mental health is crucial, and there are many things you can do to relieve the pressure and protect yourself throughout your job search. These include:
Setting realistic expectations is a vital way to protect yourself against the disappointments and setbacks that are inevitable in a long and challenging career. It can help to remind yourself that the right job is out there and if you haven’t been successful yet, there is probably a good reason for that. Try not to compare yourself to other people, and break the process down into small milestones, such as completing applications and gaining interview practice, so that you do not see it as a failure if you do not get the job, but rather as valuable experience.
Having a supportive network of people around you can make all the difference to the way you feel, and building a group of friends you trust can help in many ways. If you can, join groups of professionals online and in real life – this may also help to build connections that are useful in your job search! There may be groups for job seekers in your area or specific to your industry, and you may find it invaluable to talk with others who are in a similar situation.
Thinking positive may seem like a strange skill to cultivate but it can make all the difference to your resilience level. Regular practices such as keeping a daily gratitude journal and learning mindfulness techniques can help you to manage the stress that comes with the job seeking process and enable you to see things from a more positive perspective. When an application does not work out, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and hopeless, but it can help to remind yourself that the right role for you is out there and you’ll get a little closer to it with every application you make.
Taking care of yourself will improve your mental health significantly, particularly ensuring that you get enough sleep. Your bedtime routine is crucial, so ensure that you take time to wind down and relax before you go to bed. It will help to balance your body and mind if you can eat a healthy diet that includes a good amount of fresh fruit and vegetables and take regular exercise, especially outdoors. It can help to build rewards into your routine so that you feel more positive about the process of applying for jobs, even if you do not get the desired outcomes straight away.
If you feel that you are becoming overwhelmed by the process of searching for a new job, you may find it beneficial to speak to a professional, in person or via a support call. A therapist or employment coach may be able to help you to see things in a different light or find new tools to manage your wellbeing. You may need to focus on reframing your approach for instance, or challenging the negative way in which you see yourself. This could help you to see your own value more clearly and give you the confidence to perform better in job applications and interviews.
You can take the pressure off yourself when you’re searching for a new job by working with a recruitment agency with access to the best job vacancies. Getting to know a recruitment consultant who can help you to build connections and improve your applications will give you the feeling that someone is in your corner and help you to make the most of the application process.
If you have been applying for a new role for an extended period of time with no luck, perhaps it is time to consider trying something new. If there are few vacancies in your preferred field, or if you find yourself being passed over for candidates with more experience or qualifications, you can change your approach by retraining, taking on some voluntary work to increase your experience or moving into another field that interests you to further your career. Most people change careers several times throughout their lives, and you do not need to feel restricted if the opportunities you had hoped for do not immediately materialise for you – this could be a great opportunity to find a new direction that suits you better!
Protecting your mental health while you are looking for a new job is imperative, enabling you to stay on top of your game and remain a good prospect for potential new employers. Taking some time every day to focus on your own wellbeing will help you to create a better work/life balance and prevent you from burning out, as well as keeping you positive and making you more likely to secure the job you want.
At CareerWise, we have a team of experienced recruitment consultants who can work with you to optimise your job search. We work with individuals seeking new jobs as well as companies who are looking for talented new employees, building connections that are beneficial to everyone. We can help you to make the most of your CV and polish up your interview skills, as well as identifying suitable roles for you.
We have many years of expertise in the recruitment industry in Ireland, and we can support you throughout the job seeking process. We work with organisations in many industries in Ireland, and we can help you to streamline your job search, whether you are looking for an entry level role or an executive position. Contact us online now or call us on +353 (0) 21 206 1900 to speak with one of our professional Recruitment Consultants.
Conor is a sales professional with approx. 14 years experience in the Recruitment, Property and Advertising industries.
Conor has a background in engineering recruitment for clients based in the pharmaceutical and medical device sectors throughout Ireland.
He holds a Diploma in Human Resources Management and he is also a qualified auctioneer.
Conor joined CareerWise in June 2016 as a Senior Recruitment Consultant.
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Phone: +353 (0) 21 206 1900
Email: info@careerwise.ie
