Are you feeling drained from your graduate job search? If you are on the seemingly endless treadmill of job applications, interviews and the nerve-wracking waiting game to hear back from recruiters, it is not uncommon to feel drained, both physically and emotionally. The graduate job search can be a marathon, not a sprint demanding resilience, patience, and a steady dose of motivation. If you find yourself feeling drained and unmotivated, read on, because it’s time to hit the reset button and inject new life into your graduate job search.
1: Take a Well-Deserved Break – Don’t continue to burn the candle at both ends
First things first: give yourself the time and permission to take a break.
Taking some time off might seem counterproductive and may be difficult to do if you are desperately seeking a graduate job opportunity. If you’ve got yourself into a state where your productivity is declining along with your confidence and self-esteem, continuing to do the same things over and over again is unlikely to help you achieve your goal of landing a graduate job.
Furthermore, continuous job searching without pause can lead to burnout. A week away from all job-related activities can do wonders for your state of mind and help you to put things into perspective.
Use this time to focus on your health and well-being. Aim to get at least 30 minutes of exercise daily, eat a varied and balanced diet, set aside some time to meditate, go for walks, get good quality sleep every night and give yourself some time to relax and unwind.
Also, spend some of this time away to reflect on your job search journey so far. Consider what strategies have been effective and which ones haven’t. Think about the feedback you’ve received from potential employers and how you can use it to improve. This reflection can provide valuable insights that refine your job search strategy moving forward.
2: Set new Goals – Plan for success
After a week away from your job search, when you come back feeling revived, make setting some achievable goals your first priority.
Re-evaluate your job search goals to ensure they are still aligned with your career aspirations and personal values. Ask yourself, have you been applying to jobs that align with your skills and interests? Or have you been panic applying for any jobs you find willy-nilly? Spend some time identifying the job title of roles you are best suited to and creating a plan focused on helping you to get a job in that field. Remember, graduate recruiters are looking for candidates who are confident that the role they are applying to is a good fit for them.
It might be time to adjust the targets that you had set previously or set new ones altogether. Break down these goals into smaller, manageable tasks with clear, achievable timelines. This approach can help make the job search feel less daunting and more structured. It will also help you to identify your progress and achievements which will help you to stay motivated.
3: Update your job search assets – Refresh your graduate CV, cover letters, portfolio and online presence
After setting some clear goals and pinpointing the right graduate job for you, the next job is to update your CV, cover letter, portfolio and online presence.
If you have been sending out your CV several times and not hearing back – this is an indication that your CV needs improving.
If you are not finding enough suitable vacancies this is an indication that you need to build up your professional brand online by updating your LinkedIn profile.
If you are getting invited to interviews but keep failing them, this is an indication that your interview technique needs some work.
If you are looking for a graduate job in roles such as data science, Software Engineering, Product Management, Digital Marketing or UX design, having a portfolio to demonstrate your skills and experiences will go a long way in standing out from other candidates. If you have not yet got experience to showcase items in your portfolio, this is not an excuse. There are several personal projects that you can undertake and put in your portfolio to really impress recruiters and hiring managers.
4: Expand your Skills – The Learning didn’t stop when you Graduated from University
Consider if there are any skills or knowledge areas you could develop further to enhance your employability. Be aware of the skills that are in high demand in the graduate job market. See if there are any free online courses that you can take to fill any skill gaps.
Online courses, workshops, industry seminars or even reading up on industry trends can not only make you a more attractive candidate but also reinvigorate your job search by giving you a new perspective or direction.
5: Seek Support – You’re Not Alone
If you’re feeling particularly low, don’t hesitate to seek support. This could be from a mentor, your GP, a career coach, or even friends and family.
Sometimes, just voicing your frustrations and concerns can be incredibly cathartic and provide you with new energy to tackle your job search with renewed vigour.
We are here to help! Over the past 14+ years, we have helped thousands of students and graduates to land graduate jobs and thrive in their careers. If you are in need of some graduate career support, get in touch with us via our contact form, letting us know your situation, and we will be back in touch with you letting you know exactly how we can help you.
Conclusion
Feeling drained from your job search is a sign that it’s time to pause, reassess, and reset.
By taking a step back, you can gain the clarity and strength needed to continue your journey towards finding the right graduate job for you.
Remember, every step you take is progress, and with persistence, the right opportunity will present itself.
Keep faith in your abilities, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. The team here at Graduate Coach are ready and waiting to help you land your dream job. Your future is bright! Hope is not lost!
Featured image by Julia Avamotive from Pexels
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