How to Side-Step the Stress in Your Job Search

Imagine walking through a forest at twilight, the trees blending into each other in the darkness and the path ahead unclear. A branch snaps somewhere off to the side – you walk on, but your senses are heightened. Then another branch breaks – this time it sounds nearer to you. You sense that you need to side-step the stress. Stealthy footsteps crunch on brittle autumn leaves.

Most people would feel slightly alarmed at this point. Adrenaline levels would spike to elevate your blood pressure and boost your energy supply, and cortisol would increase the sugars in your bloodstream and get you ready for action. Fight or flight. This is a stress response that has evolved throughout human history.

Once you realise that it is a deer, your stress hormones subside, and you gradually relax.

But imagine constantly feeling like you need to side-step the stress, always on edge and always expecting the worst. This permanent state of readiness and overexposure to stress hormones can lead to all sorts of health issues. Anxiety, depression, headaches, sleep problems, memory impairment, weight gain and even heart disease.

A job search is such a time when stress can overload your system.

You might start with a positive frame of mind, but the first rejection will give your confidence a knock and send the stress levels that little bit higher. Your sleep starts to suffer, your brain feels like it is wrapped in cotton wool, and you somehow don’t feel as sharp anymore. Stress can be devastating for a job search if you let it take hold.

Happily, how you choose to behave can often make a difference. It is clear that stress and mental health are medical conditions, so not everyone can deal with them so readily, but for most (fortunate) people, a combination of the following should alleviate it somewhat.

Tips to side-step stress

…. Eat a healthy diet (no snacks) and moderate daily exercise.

…. Write down your thoughts and share them with loved ones.

…. Do not neglect hobbies. Your mind desperately needs distraction.

…. Try something new. Continuous learning builds emotional resilience.

…. Guided imagery – take your mind to your favourite place.

…. Laugh a lot – preferably with friends, but a funny film will do the job.

…. Think about nothing regularly. Moments of meditation matter.

…. Get organised with your job search – purpose and momentum are vital.

…. Be grateful for what you have and the opportunities to come.

…. Professional counselling can make a difference if you are open to it.

Practising these techniques before starting your job search means you already have a few healthy habits to fall back on when times get tough. A job search will throw much of your life up in the air, so these habits will act as mental crutches to support your troubled mind.

The best way of reducing stress is to attempt to side-step it. You won’t be able to avoid it totally, but adopting these behaviours will mean that it only deals you a glancing blow rather than hits you full on. 

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This blog is shared with Job Seeker Duetists. 

Written by former recruitment ghostwriter Paul Drury (not AI).