Wednesday November 2, 2011
Thr job hunt is not an easy process, and being in between jobs just adds more stress to your life.
Who needs that? While you may not be able to get rid of all the stress, you can eliminate a lot of it.
Try these six tips:
1. Get organised
You should never be stressed because you cannot find something.
This goes beyond keeping track of resumés and cover letters. Other essentials like diplomas, certification certificates and forms of identification should always be easily accessible.
Most people agree that the creation of an employment portfolio is the best solution.
One easy container to access all your essentials will relieve pressure when searching for information or gathering materials prior to an interview.
2. Stick to a schedule
The most successful job seekers admit that finding employment is a full-time job.
Just being busy creates a stressful atmosphere. Creating and maintaining a schedule lets you visualise what you need to get done and when you need to get it done.
Often, we create stress in our minds. A schedule quantifies how busy you actually are, not how busy you think you are.
Moreover, you can monitor how well you follow your schedule to determine how efficiently you use your time.
3. Take a break
All work and no play can make you a dull person. Under excessively tense conditions, recreation plays a vital role in maintaining your composure.
The beauty of the schedule is that it not only lets you see when you need to get work done, but also when you don’t need to get work done.
Fill your free time with fun and relaxing activities that take your mind off your worries. Finding a job should not consume 24 hours of the day, seven days a week.
4. Know where you stand
People also create stress by not evaluating where they stand with a prospective employer.
They tend to assume that they are not in good standing with a company or interviewer, which only creates more tension and worries.
Pay attention to the tones people use as they write or speak.
Reflect on the impressions you make on a phone interviewer.
A second round of interviews probably means you made the cut and are in the running for the job. Taking note of these things will reduce your uncertainty and worry.
5. Avoid repetitive stress
Having templates that can be modified to customise resumés and cover letters to companies reduces the amount of work you have to do, without sacrificing the quality of the impression you wish to leave.
An employment portfolio can make this “recycling” even easier.
Just remember that everything you say or write to a possible employer should reflect your personality and your thoughts on working for that particular employer.
6. Practice makes perfect
The most stressful part of a job search for many people is the most confrontational part of the process: the interview.
An interview is, in some respect, an employer’s way of testing you. And just as you studied for tests in school, you can study for interviews.
This is more than just doing background research on a company. Think about possible questions the interviewers might ask you and about how you would respond.
Many people find it helpful to actually go through mock interviews with friends or family. Find a preparation method that works for you.
Whatever it may be, use it. If you can eliminate the anxiety of an upcoming interview, you will perform better and feel better.
If you ever find yourself stressing over your situation, think back to these six pointers.
Stress reduction is incredibly helpful, so let it work for you. - Source: Singapore Straits Times/Asia News Network
ARTICLE by Nathan Newberger, a job and career expert.