How to avoid job seeker fatigue: Alissa's story
Prior to working for Talent Propeller, I worked in healthcare. You could say I was in a pretty stable position and deciding to leave might have been a big risk. But it all boiled down to the fact that I wasn’t happy, and I was more motivated than ever to begin my quest for that new, exciting and challenging job that a lot of us crave.
So, I knuckled down and got cracking on some job applications. I think this goes without saying, but your resume and CV is a reflection of you so it’s important for it to be organised and professional. However, you don’t want to spend too much time making it look ‘pretty’ as an employer is simply going to be using it as a bit of a checklist for the job.
Narrow your focus
Once you start your search for potential job prospects, it’s essential to have an understanding of what you should apply for and what is most likely going to be a waste of time. I recently read an article where a hiring manager stated that the bulk of the resumes they receive look as though the candidate submitted an application "just in case," without ever reading the job description. To help you avoid job seeker fatigue, you’ll need to narrow your focus and send out resumes for openings that would be a good fit for your skills.
There is, however, absolutely no harm in taking some risks and applying for a job that is a little left field. I went out on a bit of a limb and applied for a job in advertising, which was nowhere in the realm of my expertise. But what I did notice was that while reading the job description and the job requirements, I had the recurring thought of; ‘hey, that’s me!’
Now, I’m not saying to apply for a senior accounting position when you’re like me and have zero maths skills and no qualifications. Make sure to have a thorough read of the job description and if you feel like you might have a shot, then it’s definitely worth a try. It worked for me, and maybe I got lucky, but who’s to say you won’t? All it takes is one employer seeing your potential.
Set realistic goals
For me, the real job seeker fatigue came from filling out really drawn-out application forms that included loads of questions, many of which really should have been saved for the interview. When I first started applying for jobs, I set myself the goal of applying for three per day – all I can say is ‘OVERKILL.’ In hindsight, three applications a day was very impractical. It became so frustrating answering the same questions over and over again that by the time I got to the second or third application, my answers started to lack in quality. I felt drained and, to put it plainly, I just couldn’t be bothered anymore.
To avoid that frustration, my advice is to be realistic; set yourself the goal of doing maybe four applications a week. You’ll find that this will help you stop feeling so overwhelmed with each application and it will hopefully stop you from developing that ‘can’t be bothered’ mood. This will allow for a better chance of you creating a more quality application.
Remind yourself of the WHY
The other part that bothered me was putting in a lot of time, energy and effort into my application only to not hear back from the employer. I can appreciate that it’s a crazy time for anyone out in the workforce right now, however, it can be quite discouraging when you put in the work, to not even have it acknowledged with a polite rejection email. It gave me the feeling of ‘well, what’s the point?’ If you ever start to feel like this, it’s really important to remember the ‘why’. Why did you start applying in the first place? Are you seeking a more fulfilling job? Are you making your return to the workforce? No matter what it is, it’ll help get you back into a motivated mindset and you’ll be able to use that motivation to keep on going.
So, there you have it, my tips and tricks of the trade to help you avoid that job seeker fatigue. At Talent Propeller, we believe that your job-hunting journey can be easy and enjoyable with support, insights and innovations to make you stand out from the crowd. If you’re a job seeker who is feeling a little defeated and demoralised, get in touch with us and let us make the process a bit easier for you!