Job hunting is one of the things that prove you are now an adult. There are lots of opportunities you might encounter while looking for a job. It can also allow you to travel to different places and meet people from all walks of life. And if you are lucky, you can even be assigned to work in a foreign country, which is fun especially if you love a little adventure in life.
Unfortunately, it’s not the same case for others. For some, job hunting was not a fun experience. There are people who’ve tried to apply to several jobs but find themselves rejected at each one. Because of this, some people lost hope, and eventually, job hunting became a nightmare.
The same thing happened to me when I first started looking for a job. It was one of the worst memories of my professional life. I tried to apply to different jobs and went from one job interview to another to no avail. There was even a time when I walked for miles to ask different establishments if they were hiring, and waited from dusk till dawn just to get an interview from one of the BPO companies here. I felt exhausted, lost, and frustrated throughout that ordeal. I hated the job hunting process, it was even worse when I did find a job and worked for a boss who threw documents at me and humiliated me on my first day of work.
What happens to a person who has been traumatized in finding a job?
1. Distance themselves
You start to isolate yourself and try to escape reality by doing other things like playing games so you would feel better. You also avoid intellectual or successful people because there are times you are not comfortable having any conversations with them, especially when you are intimidated by that person.
2. Doubt their capabilities
You start doubting yourself, you lose your confidence, and start believing you might not be good enough and unable to do anything in your current situation.
3. Faint-hearted
You’re afraid to step out of your comfort zone, and risk going through the job hunting process again. As a result, you lose the courage to let yourself grow and explore thinking the outcome will be the same.
4. Becomes anxious
Just by bringing up the subject, you start to feel uneasy like there’s a huge burden in your chest. You become worried if you’ll ever find a job, especially when you have bills to pay or a family to support.
After a series of rejection in job interviews, I made a list to help reduce job search and interview anxiety based on my own experience:
1. Be confident
Even if you aren’t, try to make it seem like you are. It’s one of the fundamental things in passing any job interview. You are trying to sell yourself so make the most out of it. As the saying goes, “First impressions last.” Even if you are the smartest applicant in the room if you fail to show confidence, the chances of being hired are slim.
2. Do some research and review
Before taking an interview make sure you are loaded. Do some research on the company and the job position you are applying for. Review your notes, memorize those big words as most of the time if you mention those words the interviewer will not ask questions to define or elaborate it. But in their eyes, you would look more appealing and smart enough to be hired.
3. Have a support system
Having a support system is important as they’d be the ones who would cheer you on and help you up when you’re in the dumps. Knowing someone is there for you despite all the hardships and rejection would boost your fighting spirit and help you to keep going.
4. Take breaks
It’s okay to take breaks in between, especially if you’re tired. Taking a break from all the job applications, interviews, and constant searches allows you to collect your thoughts and breathe. It gives you time to reorganize your strategy and gauge the situation.
Final Thoughts
Going through the job hunting process can be distressing especially when you’re a person with a lot of responsibilities and need the job as soon as possible. But know that things will work out. You might not have gotten that job because something better is being prepared for you. So keep trying and if you’re tired, rest, but don’t give up.
Do you have some tips or stories to share? Feel free to leave a comment below and reach out to others who are going through or who have gone through the same ordeal.
