Mindset Maintenance: Tips for Navigating a Difficult Job Search

Maintaining your mindset during a difficult job search is worth the effort

When I first started my career in recruiting in 2011, I remember reading articles about the “war for talent.” Employers were facing a new reality after the Great Recession; many vacancies were now difficult to fill. Gone were the days of posting a position and having hundreds of applications to sift through. Focus started to shift to enhancing employment branding, creating new perks, attempting to appeal to the younger generation, and developing recruitment efforts to stand out among fierce competition for talent. The job seeker held the advantage in the job market.

Today, the playing field has leveled. While US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports indicate that the economy is still adding jobs, the sentiments of job-seekers have been consistently cooling. Hiring rates are down and unemployment is up, it’s hard for some to find a job right now. 22% of unemployed Americans have been unemployed for at least 6 months. Anecdotally, conversations with clients, colleagues, and LinkedIn users show the uncertainty of our times weighing heavily on people’s minds.

The turbulence in Washington adds to the state of uncertainty. Mass firings of federal employees will have an impact on the job market and not just in DC. A tariff fueled trade war will likely take a toll on our economy, with the potential of adding a tightening effect on the job market. If the economy cools along with job creation, the length of job searches may increase along with the number of those searching.

A job search is stressful, regardless of how long it takes. There are financial and social pressures to land a position, the desire to land the right position, processing feelings of rejection when not called for an interview or offered a position, and the nerves associated navigating an interview process. Maintain a positive and productive mindset can be challenging, but doing so is important to your well-being and ability to continue to show up confidently in your search.

Here are some tips on mindset maintenance during a difficult job search:

Practice Mindfulness

Practicing mindfulness is a great habit to get into for your overall mental and physical wellness, not just during a difficult job search. I love using the Healthy Minds app (not a paid endorsement), but there are plenty of great options to guide your mindfulness practice. Getting the most out of mindfulness takes commitment to regularly practicing. That can be a challenge when you feel like it’s a struggle to “do it right,” but realizing that noticing your struggle is part of your growth is a game-changer. Allowing yourself the space to struggle and then gently bringing yourself back to your practice is a transferrable skill this is incredibly handy if you are finding your job search to be taxing.

Eat Well, Sleep Well, Stay Hydrated, & Exercise

“Wait a minute, that doesn’t sound like mindset maintenance to me!”

Well, you’re kind of right, but maintaining your physical wellness is associated with improved mental health. The mental health gains can help you deal with the stresses of your job search. Conversely, neglecting your health can create further stress as illnesses and low energy are likely to negatively impact your search.

Set some time aside each day to take care of yourself. Make sure you are eating healthy, sticking with a sleep schedule, and staying hydrated. Planning exercise at key times of your day can give you a much-needed spike of energy when needed most. Don’t forget to allow yourself space for the things that fulfill you. When I play my guitar, it gives my brain a rest from activities connected to stress and helps me feel recharged. Whatever that activity is for you, take the breaks you need to allow your brain to focus on something else and you will return to your job search duties with a fresher mindset.

Track your search activity

Tracking your activity and progress is a rewards mechanism that can help you stay positive during your search. I’m a fan of tracking in spreadsheets, but you can use whatever method is comfortable for you. My wife makes very cute daily planners and activity trackers because they incentivize her to use those tools. If it helps you, go for it.

Keeping track of jobs you’ve applied to, how far you’ve gotten in the selection process, company research, and other activities will keep you highly organized, aware of the exact state of your search (factually, not feelings based), and will provide rewards by checking off to-dos and documenting progress.

Don’t forget to stay focused in on your values

If you have been searching for an extended time, it would be easy to accept the first decent offer that comes along. I cannot blame someone if their financial situation or relationship with a partner is suffering and they just need a job. Just remember, accepting the wrong job is going to increase the chance of you being unsatisfied in the role and being back in the job market earlier than you would like.

As part of your job search tracking, I recommend that you spend some time considering what you need and what you want from an employer. What are your values? What are your professional goals? What are your deal-breakers? Be aware of these things and measure employers and positions against what matters most to you. Your patience will be rewarded (nod to Adam Savage of MythBusters).

Networking & Peer Support

Social support is a great way to maintain a positive attitude. Humans are social beings and interacting with friends and colleagues is a natural mood booster. Beyond that, you’ll likely get some encouragement and feedback as you talk through your experience. Sometimes being entrenched in a job search can cause us to not see things that are obvious to others.

Networking is another social activity that can pay dividends from a social-emotional perspective and from a job opportunity perspective. Show up to networking events with a positive attitude, have conversations, and ask questions. There are several jobs that never make it to online job boards because they’re filled through connections. Networking doesn’t guarantee you access to those jobs, but you won’t have any chance of access without putting yourself out there. If you find networking activities to be stressful, try to do some mindfulness exercises to get you in the right mindset.

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Maintaining your mindset during difficult times is a challenge. It’s understandable to be stressed or feel rejected but invest the time and energy in maintaining a positive mindset and your confidence and attitude will help carry you through. Best wishes!