| Most people are aware of the stress we face in | | | | had not considered. Sometimes two heads are better |
| various situations. It might be moving homes, tackling | | | | than one. There are many job clubs or groups, |
| illness or a bereavement. There are many times in | | | | careers advisors and personal coaches that could |
| our lives when external pressures affect the way we | | | | offer you the right advice to help you. |
| behave. It is at times like these that we often need | | | | What to avoid: |
| advice and guidance to help know what to do, and | | | | Procrastination -Putting things off can bring |
| more importantly what not to do. | | | | unnecessary stress to a job search. Delaying doing |
| Without the right advice, things can become more | | | | the things you know you need to do, often means |
| daunting than necessary. If you have been made | | | | you lose enthusiasm. So when you read the classified |
| redundant, are in between jobs or considering a | | | | ads and find a few that seem interesting, cut the ads |
| change of career; the stress of budgeting your | | | | out, get your CV and cover letter and answer them |
| finances, maintaining a stable family lifestyle, managing | | | | immediately. If you put it off and don't get round to |
| your time effectively and many other issues can | | | | doing it at all; then you'll get nowhere. Knowing that |
| have profound consequences on your job searching. | | | | you have made the effort will help you eliminate a lot |
| Recognizing that job search stress is real will make a | | | | of job search stress. |
| great difference in the effectiveness of your | | | | Perfectionism - One man's perfectionist is another |
| attempts to find employment as quickly as possible. | | | | man's egoist. There are many possible situations |
| If you can define the possible causes of job search | | | | where adopting a perfectionist attitude can work |
| related stress, you will be able to put strategies into | | | | against you when job searching. Don't get caught up |
| place to cope with any job search anxiety that will | | | | in the need to produce the perfect CV - it does not |
| significantly affect how you approach your job | | | | exist or is never used! An impressive CV is important, |
| hunting, how you perform at interviews and how you | | | | but spending hour after hour amending and revising |
| relate to others during the time it takes you to get | | | | may only serve to add to the worry. Do the best |
| your next job. | | | | you can, but don't let it become an obsession. |
| Job search stress can be handled | | | | Pessimism / Powerlessness - Pessimism and |
| The good news is that having an awareness of job | | | | powerlessness often go hand in hand. It is easy to |
| search stress is the best way of ensuring you have | | | | feel that you are not in control of your life when you |
| safeguards ready that you can put into practice. | | | | are dependent on others to give you the opportunity |
| Planning ahead will greatly reduce many of the | | | | to get that job. If during this period you can maintain |
| situations that can cause job search stress. | | | | a positive attitude and focus on the goal, you stand |
| Here are some useful tips: | | | | a great chance of defeating these two negative |
| Use your time effectively: Set a schedule that will suit | | | | feelings. Concentrate on your strengths and what |
| you. If you work better in short bursts rather than | | | | you have to offer, not just an employer but family |
| sitting down for long periods, factor that into your | | | | and friends. Be optimistic and remember you can |
| schedule. Your choice of career might dictate your | | | | control your future. |
| best method of job hunting, if you are a tradesman | | | | Problem People - There are certain people who live |
| it might be best to telephone possible employers and | | | | by the 'glass is half empty' belief. These negative |
| contacts when they are more receptive rather than | | | | people and individuals can truly bring your spirits |
| calling them during a hectic work schedule. | | | | down. You need to do whatever you can to avoid |
| Keep a job search record: Write a record of the jobs | | | | any additional job search stress. Keep telling yourself |
| that you have applied for, where you saw the | | | | that their mind-set is not the same as yours. You are |
| advertisement, when you sent your application form, | | | | responsible for your own thoughts and actions, not |
| calls you have made, CVs and speculative letters you | | | | theirs. Always remember that positive thoughts can |
| have sent. This serves as a great way of ensuring | | | | bring positive results. |
| that you carry out any necessary follow up action | | | | There are many reasons for why we suffer stress, |
| and do not miss any important deadlines. | | | | we all have different problems and need different |
| Don't be afraid to ask for support and advice. At | | | | means to cope, live with and defeat the worries and |
| times it may seem as you are the only person going | | | | anxieties we face. If you are currently seeking |
| through the job search process. The fact is that | | | | employment the best way to cope with stress is to |
| nearly everyone has to face the process of finding a | | | | remain positive and believe in yourself - never give up |
| job. If you ask for help you may be surprised and | | | | and you will succeed. |
| find another means of achieving your aims that you | | | | |