Self-care Tips to Prevent Burnout in Job Hunters
Self-care, as the name suggests, centres around the idea of small changes and rituals you can employ to keep yourself in good health (physical and psychological), prevent burnout, and maintain a balanced, good quality of life. This is essential for everyone to know, and it’s something that can be applied to every aspect of your life. However, Whoops Word believes that self-care is especially relevant and important for all you job seekers out there.
Real talk, dear reader: application fatigue is real, and it will eat you alive if you don’t take adequate steps to keep ahead of it. Despite living in a world where burnout is glorified and, ridiculously, the incessant grind and hustle are deemed necessary to get ahead in your career, we need to stop believing that self-care is a luxury and start seeing it as an everyday necessity that we should prioritize. Whoops Word has it on good authority that having a self-care plan in place is something every man and their dog needs to get on. So, here are some key tips to stay sane throughout the job application process.
1. Set yourself office hours
If you regularly find yourself applying willy-nilly for jobs at 2 a.m. with gritty eyes and a rapidly dwindling will to live in this end-stage capitalism hellscape, it’s time to stop and think. You’re likely sending out job applications riddled with glaring typos and weird turns of phrase and… expecting to get called in for an interview…? Oh, dear reader (*sighs pityingly*. It’s time to get real.
It’s time to set yourself some office hours. There needs to be a strict “On” and “Off” time for your applications. This will give you more space to work productively and more time to enjoy life a little bit more – go see friends and family, enjoy a hobby, or go outside (we hear it’s nice out there) – whatever sparks joy and refills your cup at the end of the day. The kids are calling it “balance.” Get around it, dear reader.
Your office hours don’t need to follow the conventional 9-to-5. The main goal is that it’s a realistic interval at a time of day when you know you're most productive. That’s right, dear reader, some self-awareness will have to be employed here! No more 2 a.m. job application submissions (if that’s not your chosen office hours – night owls can pop off though!). Picking times that suit your productivity and allow for more relax-y time will have you feeling better about the whole process.
2. Break it down
Stop trying to get everything done in one go. Racing yourself to throw together a resume, scribble out a barely sensible cover letter, and rush through the online application form is a recipe for disaster.
Instead, try to break the process down and insert little breaks. Try this instead: draft your cover letter and then of away and have a cuppa. Come back and re-read and edit your resume and cover letter. With the review process complete, it’s time to get up from your desk and stretch, go for a little walk, have a bathroom break, and THEN come back to fill in the inevitable (and have we said repetitive?) online form. This allows you to review your application multiple times with greater patience and fresh eyes.
Taking a step back from your application will help you spot your awkward phrasings and cringe-worthy typos. If you really want to be smart about it and snag yourself a little confidence boost, get another pair of eyes on your documents as well (*cough* professional proofreaders found here [insert contact form link] *cough*). Taking regular breaks and asking for help are essential self-care hacks for anybody looking to improve their mental health and increase their productivity during the job application process.
3. Celebrate the send-off
You handed in a job application that you’re super proud of? Pat yourself on the back, dear reader! Now, instead of rushing to get to the next application you had your eye on, take a minute to bask in the warmth of your achievement. Tick it off your list and enjoy the flood of serotonin as it bathes your brain; throw a one-person latte party in your kitchen; or roll out the yoga mat and stretch your way to success before hunching back over your laptop for the next application (our backs twinge in solidarity).
Life is about celebrating the little things. And each job application you put out there is you giving it your all, and that should be celebrated, dear reader. We’re so proud of you, but not as proud as you should be of yourself. You are not a robot. You are a person with feelings. By celebrating each application you send in, you acknowledge your efforts and build your confidence for your next application.
Is there an endless list of other tips and tricks you can employ to take the best care of yourself during this taxing process? Absolutely! Rest is key – so take hydration breaks, get enough sleep at night, take a day off, call it quits when you feel ready to start climbing the walls. Listen to your body and take care of yourself, dear reader. Because if you won’t, why should anybody else?
