How to know when to take a break from your job search.
It’s no secret that finding a job is a lot of work and can leave you wondering whether it’s time to take a break from your job search . There’s getting your resume updated and ready. Navigating different applicant tracking systems and writing cover letters you don’t think anyone will read. And after all that work, to not hear back sends you into a tailspin of wondering if you have what it takes. Or you do hear back and you get to navigate the daunting interview process.
Oh, and did I mention the pressure you put on yourself to find the “right” role this time? Anxiety thrives off the unknown. It makes us ask questions like: “Will it always be like this? Why am I getting interviews but not offers? Why won’t anyone give me real feedback?
So how can you determine whether you’re experiencing the normal ups and downs of a job search - or - whether it’s time to take a break from your search. Read on.
Job search burnout is real.
You’ve heard of burnout, but what about job search burnout? Yes, it is real. And I want you to avoid getting to this point because it’s very hard to rebuild when you are burned out.
I wrote extensively about the difference between career exhaustion vs. career burnout in this post. To recap the characteristics of burnout, they are:
Emotional exhaustion - being completely drained and tired all the time, and
Cynicism, or depersonalization - feeling very negative about everything (even “good” things), and
Reduced personal and professional efficacy - missing deadlines and basically not getting things done.
Let’s look at each of these characteristics through the lens of your job search.
Emotional exhaustion in your job search.
The feeling of constantly being on the lookout for job opportunities and tailoring your resume and cover letter to each specific job can be exhausting. The way to know you’re emotionally exhausted in your job search is that you no matter what you do, can’t find the energy. Your usual “pick me ups” - like getting a good night’s sleep, caffeine, taking it easy, exercise - don’t work. You are dragging. You can’t focus because your brain is so tired and overwhelmed. Day after day, you experience brain fog and the exhaustion is consistent.
Cynicism in your job search.
Job searching can be a disheartening experience. The uncertainty of the job search process can take a toll on one's self-esteem and confidence. Here are eight points of uncertainty that can lead to cynicism in your job search.
Rejection: Repeatedly being turned down for job opportunities can lead to feelings of discouragement and skepticism about the job search process.
Lack of transparency: When employers don't provide clear and honest feedback, job seekers may become jaded about the job market.
Unclear expectations: When job postings are vague or requirements are constantly changing, it can be difficult for job seekers to know what they're looking for, leading to feelings of cynicism.
Bias and discrimination: Experiencing bias or discrimination during the job search process, such as being passed over for a role based on age, gender, race, or other factors, can contribute to feelings of skepticism.
Unresponsive employers: When employers don't respond to job seekers or take a long time to provide updates, it can lead to frustration and a lack of trust in the process.
Unreasonable demands: When job postings have an unrealistic list of requirements or expectations, it can lead to feelings of cynicism about the job market.
Inadequate compensation: When job seekers feel that the pay offered for a role is significantly below their expectations, they may become discouraged and feel that the job search process is not worth their time and effort.
Lack of job security: In a constantly changing job market, the fear of layoffs or job loss can lead to feelings of cynicism about the stability of the job search process.
Reduced personal and professional efficacy in your job search.
One of the tell tale signs that your job search is burning you out is you stop showing up for yourself in it. You know a job application is due on Friday and you purposely sabotage your ability to apply. You do that by not getting your resume ready, wasting time on life admin that isn’t a priority, and putting yourself last by helping other people with their agendas.
You’re in avoidance mode. Everyone and everything else is a priority.
When you do sit down to apply for a job, you’re easily distracted and miss the deadline.
When you find out you have an interview, you don’t reply to schedule it.
You need to take a break from your job search.
I know it sounds counterintuitive to take a break from your job search when you need a job. What happens if you miss an opportunity of a lifetime?! And you have the very real pressure of bills and people to take care of, yourself included.
But here’s what I want you to consider: when you are in burnout, you cannot possibly come up with a creative way out of what you’re feeling. The stress traps you in a scarcity mindset. It decreases your dopamine (the “feel good” neurotransmitter that makes you feel motivated and satisfied.) Dopamine is pivotal to creativity. There’s a reason why you get your best ideas when you’re walking the dog, in the shower, and listening to music. Feeling relaxed increases this helpful neurotransmitter.
If you continue to attempt to job search because of FOMO - remember - your burnout brain will not be able to make the most of that amazing opportunity anyway. Your burnout brain can lead you to:
take a position that you don’t want
leave money on the table by not negotiating
overpromise and let go of any/all sanity-preserving boundaries
Is that how you want to start your new job? No.
How to take a break from your job search.
Giving yourself rest and getting help with your burnout will be more productive than forcing your job search. The first thing to consider is who is going to support you through this break. Saying you’re going to take a break and actually taking a break are not the same thing.
A break from your job search means:
not looking for jobs
not connecting for informational interviews
not browsing LinkedIn, Indeed, or wherever you look for jobs
not opening job-related emails or consuming job-related content
not doing interviews for jobs you applied for when you were in burnout “for the practice”
not working on your personal/professional branding
You may be wondering how long you take this break for and I wish I had an answer. I don’t. Everyone is different and it depends on how severe your burnout is.
For some, it will be depend on what your budget allows for. You may need to get a “good enough for now” job that doesn’t align with your professional goals.
I do recommend seeking out help from a coach and/or therapist. This person can give you unbiased professional support to keep you on the path of burnout recovery.
Having an open conversation with your partner (if you’re coupled up) and friends about your burnout experience can be helpful, but only if they are equipped to listen and not try to “fix you.” At the end of the day, they want to know that you are okay and for many, that means being employed. It is hard to see our loved ones in pain and we often want to jump into action to help them. This “help” can be damaging to your job search burnout recovery. Be cautious of who you share your journey with.
Be compassionate with yourself in your job search.
It's important to remember that ups and downs are a normal part of the job search process. You need to have your own back and be compassionate with yourself. If you’re finding you need a day or even a week off from looking at LinkedIn, take the time off. It’s not a big deal. You’re not going to miss out.
It's 100% okay to take breaks and prioritize self-care by doing activities that bring joy and relaxation. Seeking support and a laugh from friends, family, or a career coach can also help alleviate some of the stress and provide encouragement during the job search. It's important to stay hopeful and keep a positive outlook, as eventually the right job opportunity will come along. It's a journey, and it's okay to feel overwhelmed at times, but with perseverance and support, the end goal of finding a satisfying career can be achieved.
