DEALING WITH JOB SEARCH STRESS
By Carol Stanton, CGS Career Counselor

 Are you looking for a new job and trying to earn your college degree? Maybe you're also raising a family, taking care of your parents, or just trying to "have a life." If you're not careful, you could be heading for burn-out. Looking for a job can be one of the most challenging tasks in life. Don't stress out to the point of having to drop out of school or end up with serious health problems. Here are some ideas for dealing with the stress of looking for a job:

Organize a plan for your job search. 
Sit down and write out your plan on paper or on your computer.  What type of job are you looking for? Where will you find resources?  Who can you contact for information or leads? What are the exact steps you need to take? Having your goals identified and a reasonable action plan for accomplishing these goals can make you feel more confident and relaxed.

Seek professional help.  
If you are not sure of the type of job you are looking for, seek the help of a career counselor who can help you identify your strengths, values, interests, and abilities. It is much easier to achieve your goals when you know what you want and what you have to offer.  Also, they can offer help in terms of resources, referrals, and assistance in organizing your plan of action.

Take at least one action each day.  
Mail out your resume to a listing on the Internet, call a networking contact, go to a job fair, or do an informational interview. It doesn't matter which action you choose, just take some action! Thinking about the entire job search can be overwhelming. It's much easier to deal with a project if you break it into small parts. Each small action can bring great rewards eventually.

Ask for help from friends and family.  
Tell everyone you know that you are looking for a job and ask for support and assistance. Most people love to help other people, especially those they know. Perhaps they know someone that you could contact for information or a networking referral. An especially good time to ask for support from friends and family is when you've had a bad day or you're feeling discouraged. Remember, guys, it's ok to ask for help!

Don't take rejection personally.  
If you didn't get the job, it doesn't mean that you're a bad person or that you're incompetent. It simply means that the employer found a better fit for the position. Try to learn something from that. If possible, ask for feedback from employers. Also, keep a list of your talents and accomplishments above your desk so you can remind yourself of them when you're feeling discouraged.

Make time to relax.  
Searching for a job is demanding and can leave you feeling exhausted. Make sure that you take the time to exercise, meditate, listen to music or  pursue other relaxing activities, so that you have the mental and physical energy to continue your job search. Being a tense job seeker will not add to your qualifications.

Learn the art of reframing.  
Reframing is a way of looking at things from a different perspective. If you do not land the job you were hoping for, try to see why the position may not have been a good fit for you and how that may clear the way for an even better job elsewhere in the future.

Be creative in your job search.  
Try new contacts and ways of finding out about jobs, such as following up on leads that you read about in magazine articles or the morning newspaper. Read professional journals in your field or go to networking meetings. By tracking down a lead from a less obvious source, you may land the job before the competition even knows about it. And you just may have some fun being creative!

Upgrade your job search skills.  
You will feel more confident going into an interview if you are prepared and knowledgeable about the latest job search trends.  Are you familiar with behavioral interview questions or a scannable resume? Read career books or consult Web sites such as the Riley Guide (www.dbm.com/jobguide/ ) to prepare yourself for the job seeking process. There are Career Reference Libraries in CGS and in the main Career Services office in the WPU. The Job Center at the Carnegie Library has many books that are available to check out.

Think positively.  
You can choose to be negative or positive about your job search.
What would be the advantage of being negative? It will only make you feel depressed and that attitude will come across in interviews.  Choose to see yourself in a positive light, remind yourself of your strengths daily, and approach each job opportunity with an open mind.

Use your imagination.  
Imagine yourself in your ideal job. Think about it as you're going to sleep at night. Picture yourself doing the job as you go through your day. Research has shown that creative visualization is a powerful tool in many activities, from sports performance to taking tests.   Why not try using this tool to land the job of your dreams? 

As the esteemed writer Henry David Thoreau said, "I have learned this: that if you advance confidently in the direction of your dreams, and endeavor to live the life you have imagined, you will meet with a success unexpected in common hours."

There are many techniques and resources for making your job search a little easier. Take the time to learn about them, incorporate them into your job search plan, and hopefully, you will find a great job without the extra stress.