Avoiding Work Search Burnout
Avoiding Work Search Burnout
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January signaled the start of the end of my work term and I can’t lie, I’m already freaking out about finding a summer job. The uncertainty of the process stresses me out - Will I find a job? Is there a position out there that aligns with my values and interests? How many applications will I submit before I get an interview? Am I a competitive applicant? Needless to say, I’ve started to stir a bit. One thing that’s been helping me out is that I know I’m not alone! Many of you are embarking on your first ever post-grad job search or are looking for a perfect summer job like me. No matter the circumstance, whether you’re a first time job-seeker or a seasoned professional, looking for work can be an overwhelming experience. I have learned that it’s completely normal and expected to occasionally get stressed out during the process, especially if you’re not having any luck finding what you’re looking for. In a competitive job market, there are many situations that bring unexpected setbacks, including navigating a competitive job market and facing rejection after rejection which can start impacting your mental health and stamina. It’s easy to get down on yourself, and burn out fast. Thankfully, I have learned that there are some great tips and strategies you can use to prevent burn out while looking for a job. Taking the time to care for yourself and preparing your work search tools and strategies for this journey you’re about to embark on is something that can ease the pressure before you even start.
Identify your goals
When conducting a job search, oftentimes the biggest challenge is figuring out what you want in a job. Maybe your past or current positions don’t align with your personal values, or you’re doing work that you really don’t enjoy. Either way - it’s important to consider these factors when starting a job search. A great way to get a glimpse into different roles and industries is to conduct Informational Interviews to learn more about a particular role that you’re interested in, or take part in a Job Shadow Program like the one offered by the University of Alberta’s Career Centre. Not only is learning more about a particular career or industry going to help you narrow down your goals and interests, but it will also help you streamline your job search. Once you have identified your goals, it’s equally as important to keep an open-minded approach to a work search. Consider applying to something that you maybe didn’t see yourself doing in the past - you never know what might happen!
2. Take the time to prepare
Preparation is the key to success - or at least it helps a bit. Where you are in your work search journey and how much experience you have will make this a unique journey for everyone. The most obvious but arguably most important aspects of this process are your work search documents, tools and strategies. Conducting research on the organization you are applying to and understanding their culture and values can help you lay the foundation and create a strategy for a great job application. Creating individually tailored cover letters and resumes and taking time to carefully prepare and practice for potential interviews can also help. Brushing up on those skills before you start applying to jobs can be a game changer for your work search and your wellbeing in a job search. Not sure where to start? Book an advising appointment at the Career Centre to get your resume and cover letter reviewed to ensure that you have competitive documents or book a mock job interview to practice those skills before the real thing. Knowing that you’re all set on the practical front can ease your worries about the uncertainty of finding a job - at least you know that you prepared and did the best that you could!
3. Implement a routine
Although looking for a job is important, it's equally as crucial to ensure that you’re not spending every waking hour of the day on your job search. A way to ensure that you’re not getting caught in the work search grind is to develop a routine! Maybe this includes spending a certain amount of time each week on your work search, or maybe you reserve your interview practice for certain days. Ensuring you have time left to enrich other areas of your life, including hobbies, personal connections, and your physical health means that you will be more prepared mentally and emotionally to handle your job search. Think of it like work/life balance. If you’re exerting all of your energy at the office, how can you ensure that your life outside of work is equally as fulfilling and enjoyable? It can be tough to find this balance, though. Know that there are many resources available to you through Counseling & Clinical Services and workshops that can help you navigate finding balance in your job search.
4. Embrace the “Planned Happenstance” approach to your job search
Sometimes, we have to look at our career with a bird’s eye view, i.e., the bigger picture. What chance encounters and spur of the moment decisions lead us to where we are now? Maybe you took a job you never thought you would or decided to take up an extracurricular activity that introduced you to someone who helped you get a job. That’s what “Planned Happenstance” is all about, preparing yourself for change and unexpected events. If you feel stuck while searching for a job, try something new! Consider spending some time volunteering to amp up your transferable skills, or explore your interests outside of the classroom and your regular field of work. Planned Happenstance is all about taking a next steps approach. Try to take steps that can set you up for success in the near future, and the rest will fall into place.
Last but not least, don’t be too hard on yourself. Looking for a job can be hard and often involves a lot of rearranging/reframing, bravery and resilience. Things won’t always go to plan or work out the way that you want them to and that’s okay! If you’re not having any luck in your work search try to remember that it’s not always a reflection on you. There are a lot of things that are out of your control when looking for a job. And I try to remember, it won’t be this way forever, as long as I take the time to prepare my work search tools and take care of myself, I know it will all work out eventually. It can be tough out there, but it doesn’t have to be. You’ve got this! And know that AWE staff and the Career Centre are here to help.
This article was written by Hannah Wiley, the 2023-24 Arts Work Experience Communications and Program Support Intern. Hannah is currently in her fourth year of her Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in English and minoring in Women's and Gender Studies. Hannah will be continuing her Communications work in summer 2024 at the Worker's Compensation Board - Alberta and is looking forward to returning to campus as a Career Peer Educator during the 2024-25 school year. She can't wait to graduate in 2025 and hopes to continue her education by pursuing graduate studies in the future.
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