Quell your Job Search Anxiety
By Robyn Kurland | Former GGU Counseling Intern | Office of Career & Life Design
The job-seeking process, from career exploration to salary negotiations, can be overwhelming and the lack of control can often lead to justified fear. Each step brings its’ own challenges, and it is tempting to want to procrastinate or avoid the work altogether. Here are some tips on how to fight the urge to flee and instead fight for the career you deserve.
MAKE A TO-DO LIST:
Sometimes it helps to create a list of things you have to do. You can use different colored pens for different types of tasks or create check boxes next to each task that you can cross out when completed. Being able to cross out a task feels good, sometimes it makes you want to do another. However, it can be overwhelming to write down all the big things you have to prepare, so…
BREAK DOWN BIG TASKS INTO LITTLE ONES:
Sometimes it helps to just see the trees in the forest. Instead of writing “Research companies,” break it down into smaller tasks (request an informational interview from a recruiter, browse available positions, what is their work culture like, etc). Each of these is something you can cross off when you’re done! By breaking things down, you can also…
CREATE A SCHEDULE:
Maybe you have a lot of goals, but for this week you have three that are time sensitive. To help prioritize you can create a schedule of deadlines and follow-up actions. It also can be fulfilling to look back after a month and see how much you’ve done! Sometimes that feeling of accomplishment can make you want to keep on working, but…
DON’T FORGET TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF:
It is important to give yourself time to “tune out and turn off.” Make sure to balance your job search with social activities, eating something delicious, or doing something soothing just for yourself. You can also take care of yourself while working – Give yourself a break after completing certain number of tasks or take a nice quick stroll around the block, and remember…
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