A very lucky few finish college and graduate straight into the job they’ve always dreamed of. For many, the end of college signals the start of a long and potentially demoralizing job hunt. It’s tough out there!

If you’re contending with a long job hunt, here are a few ways you can deal with its negative effects:

Keep Things in Perspective
When you get a rejection letter (or worse, no response) after sending an application or attending an interview, it can be tempting to try and work out what you did wrong. Don’t beat yourself up too much.

Maybe there are areas for improvement – try to seek out feedback wherever possible.

Remember that your application or the way you came across in interview will be just a few factors amongst many that can either help or hurt your chances. Maybe the hiring manager had an off day. Maybe somebody already known to the company applied. Or maybe they hired somebody cheaper and less qualified. You’ll never know the full picture, so don’t be too hard on yourself in the face of rejection.

Seek out the Support of Friends and Family
A long job hunt can sometimes make you feel worthless. Spending some time with friends and family – who know how great and accomplished you are – can give you a much-needed boost. They may also be able to help or give reassurance when it comes to that application you’ve been working on. Or, they might be able to help you hone your interview skills.

Stick With Quality over Quantity
If you’ve been on the job hunt for a while, it can be tempting to spread your net even wider. While reassessing your options is always a good idea, don’t go for quantity over quality. You should be confident that each job you go for is something you can actually see yourself doing. The role or the company should make you feel excited and enthusiastic to some degree.

Your interest and enthusiasm will come across in your application and could make getting that interview much more likely. So don’t waste your time sending hundreds of applications to many companies. Keep your search focused to get the best results.

Remember the Importance of Sleep
You need a good night’s sleep if you’re to be your best the following day. Sleep deprivation can lead to poor decisions, bad eating habits, and a more vulnerable emotional state.

So keep to a regular bedtime routine (don’t be tempted to search for jobs well into the night!) and de-stress before hitting the hay. You could try a hot bath or a little meditation or a nightly yoga routine. And if stress is causing you to grind your teeth in the night, invest in a tooth guard so your pearly whites don’t become another worry to add to the list.

Don’t Let the Job Hunt Take Over
While finding a job is undoubtedly important, you need to enjoy some down time too. You should make the effort to maintain your interests – whether that’s meeting up with friends, heading to the gym or catching up on the latest box set. Constantly trawling through job boards isn’t much fun. You need to take breaks in order to return to the search with renewed optimism and enthusiasm.

Tough times don’t last. Tough people do. – Gregory Peck

The right job opportunity will come along eventually. You’re not alone – many others find it difficult getting on to that first rung of the career ladder.

In the meantime, take care of yourself, continue to improve your application and interview skills, and keep your job hunt on the right track. Give it time. You’re on your way to finding the right job and the right company for you. 

****Campus to Career thanks Amelie Mahone for this post!!****

Amelie Mahone is a loving wife and a mother of 3. She loves to read about history and write articles on various topics, such as business, education, history, teaching. As a young mum, Amelie also likes to read about motivation and parenting.

Photo by Benjamin Davies on Unsplash