How to stay resilient while job hunting
Searching for a new job is often both exciting and disheartening. Sending applications and receiving rejections – or not hearing back at all – can quickly get you down, even though rejection is a normal part of the process. But, while it may feel tough at times, there are certain steps you can take to stay motivated in your search.
If you’re applying for jobs at the moment, it might feel harder than the last time you job searched. You’re not imagining things – the current market is more challenging for jobseekers now than it has been in the past few years, says Kristine Tuazon, Director of Good People HR. Demand has cooled in some industries and hirers are seeing record-high applications. “It’s much more competitive for candidates than it has been in the past. It’s still really an employer’s market.”
Going through something like job hunting is genuinely tough. It stretches your confidence and patience, says Liane Briner, Leadership Coach and volunteer coach at Project Placed. But it also builds resilience. “Every time you do something that feels uncomfortable or difficult, you’re building the strength and resilience to navigate even bigger challenges down the track.”
Here are six expert-approved ways to boost resilience when your optimism and motivation start to wane.
1. Hype yourself the way you would a friend
Searching for a new job can be time-consuming and stressful. During the job search, most people are harsher to themselves than they’d ever be to someone they care about, says Briner.
When you catch yourself in harsh self-talk after a rejection, she suggests pausing to ask, “What would I say to a friend in this exact situation?” You’d probably be encouraging, supportive and kind. Try to redirect that talk to yourself. Support yourself the way you’d encourage and support a friend.
2. Zoom out for perspective
It’s easy to catastrophise in stressful times, for instance, worrying that one rejection means you’ll never find a new job. One way to stop the spiral is to zoom out, says Briner.
“Ask yourself if this rejection will matter in 10 minutes, 10 weeks or in 10 months,” she says. “That perspective shift helps take the edge off the moment and stops one ‘no’ from snowballing into a much bigger story.”
3. Take care of your wellbeing
It’s hard to feel resilient if you don’t feel great physically or mentally. “Resilience depends on practices that support the mind and body,” says Briner.
Prioritise physical activity, sleep, social connection and mindfulness. All of these are critical for building resilience. Build practices into your day that help you feel good, like going for a walk, stretching or calling a friend, and take plenty of breaks away from your computer.
4. Use the tools available
Use tools that streamline the job hunt and make it easy for employers to find you, potentially leading to a new role. SEEK Talent Search lets hirers find potential applicants by searching profiles for the right fit. This means opportunities can come to you, without you needing to apply.
By keeping your SEEK Profile up to date and updating your visibility settings to 'public', you can make it easier for businesses to match you with their open roles – they can then reach out directly if you’re a good match. Here are a few simple tips to help your SEEK Profile stand out and attract recruiters. Be sure to include the latest information about your work experience, skills and education on your profile.
5. Gamify the job hunt
Most of us are wired to see rejection as a bad thing. But in job hunting, it’s actually part of the process, says Briner. She often encourages clients to gamify it.
“Set yourself a goal of collecting a certain number of ‘no’s’,” she says. “It sounds counterintuitive, but every ‘no’ gets you closer to a ‘yes’. If you don’t ask, the answer is always no. If you do ask, there’s a chance it could be yes.”
6. Lean on others
Applying for jobs can be isolating, so it’s important to rely on others for support when you need it. Lean on your network, whether personal or professional, and make a point to connect with people, even if it’s just for a quick coffee. Catchups will give you a break from scouring job boards and can even open up new opportunities.
If you can, connect with others in a similar situation, so you have someone to speak to who understands exactly what you’re going through. You can keep each other accountable and boost motivation during tough times.
Job hunting is especially challenging right now – which makes it even more important to build resilience. By prioritising wellbeing, using the tools available to you, and rethinking rejection, it’ll be easier to stay motivated in your search.
