Dealing with Job Search Stress

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In addition to having the right attitude and essential workplace skills, healthy lifestyles can improve stress management and overall wellness. Your Employment success is dependant on your overall health and balance.

HERE ARE SOME TIPS ON DEALING WITH JOB SEARCH STRESS

Explore all your Financial Options - Determine what social assistance programs you may be eligible for. Explore free credit counselling for budgeting assistance and/or debt relief. If repaying your student loans consider interest free relief programs. Investigate Trillium drug plan for suitability should medication related costs pose a problem; discuss free samples with your doctor.

Research - Ensure you have a realistic employment goal by conducting some labour market research and self-exploration. Ensure that you have the right skills and education for the job. Examine whether your goal is consistent with your values and interests. Verify that your employment goal is viable in today’s market.

Get organized and be prepared - Select a space to store your job search material. Keep your résumé and cover letters updated and saved on disk, hard drive and in paper format.
Ensure you are in regular contact with your references. Leave a professional message on your answering machine and coach your roommates and family members on how to take messages from employers. Keep a job search log that tracks your contacts with employers including applications, resumes sent and interviews arranged. Create job search to-do lists.

Job searching is a job in itself - Schedule time to work on your job search each day. Vary your job search activities to break up your day. For example, visit community centre and libraries, make cold calls, set-up information interviews and actively networks with previous co-workers etc. Schedule your most difficult tasks during you highest energy levels. Keep your job searching to the regular workday hours.

Set realistic goals - Identify short-term goals such as “contact 5 potential employers”. Broader goals such as “mail out twenty five resumes by the end of the month” Specific, Accurate and Measurable goals with timelines are easier to achieve. Review your job search goals and strategies. Feel the sense of accomplishment when you have achieved a goal.

Prepare yourself - Increase your confidence by for interviews by and getting feedback from knowledgeable people that you trust. If you have identified any gaps in skills as your prepare for the labour market then create and action plan to gain the necessary tools you requires for optimum competitiveness.

Reward your progress - After completing things on your list or following an interview reward yourself with treat. Help maintain your motivation by taking good care of yourself.

Positive Support - Spend time with people who encourage and motivate you.

The following links address healthy living and contain numerous resources. Locating doctors can be simplified through searching

Government of Ontario Health: www.health.gov.on.ca

Health Canada: www.hc-sc.gc.ca

Locating doctors can be simplified through searching College of Physicians and Surgeons: www.cpso.on.ca

Healthy living contributes to quality of work performance. This link examines various approaches to healthy lifestyle choices - www.ala.ca/content/home.asp