How to Beat Job Search Stress

Searching for a new job can take a tremendous toll on your nerves, especially with the current volatility of the job market. Minimizing this stress will help you achieve success in your quest, not to mention keeping your blood pressure down and maintaining a general feeling of well being.

When starting a job search, it can appear to be a daunting endeavor, much like having a huge project thrown in your lap when you're on the job. Just as in that instance, the best method to deal with the task is to break it down into more manageable bite-size nuggets that can be accomplished with relative ease. Take it one step at a time, with the first involving deciding what type of job to pursue. Once you know that, then you can tailor your resumé to suit your needs. With a strong resumé and requisite cover letter in hand, you need to zone in on companies that fit your skill set and send your data to the appropriate decision-maker.

It's perfectly natural to feel pangs of anxiety while in the midst of a job hunt. Regular affirmation is the best remedy for this problem, best achieved through the creation of a journal containing feel-good moments. Whenever you get particularly stressed, refer to the list for a boost. Instead of dwelling on the negative things in your life, you can also use this diary to document what you consider to be the best parts, such as having good friends and health and a productive work history to build upon. It's inevitable that you will get discouraged at some point in your job search, so having this document will be a boon to your self-esteem and keep you on the right track.

The greatest fear during a career quest usually occurs when you requested to report for an interview. To prepare for this potentially nerve-racking experience, you need to rehearse for the interview, much as an acting troupe prepares for opening night on Broadway. Try to visualize the questions you will be posed with during the interview, such as "What makes you suited for this position?" or the always treacherous "Why did you leave your last job?" This way you will be ready for any curveballs thrown your way, thus reducing the normal anxiety of the unknown.

Too many job seekers fall into the trap of concentrating on the past or future of their search. You have to live for today when looking for new work. Dwell on the past or stress about future issues about which you have little or no control and you risk dragging yourself down and ramping up your anxiety. The past is done and the future will be here soon enough.

It isn't always easy to retain a positive frame of mind during a job search. Work hard to purge all stresses and worries from your mind and you'll find the wait wasn't so bad. Control your fears before they take an iron-grip on you.

*Dr.James Pann, Dealing With Job Search Anxiety:Career Stress Management 101, ExecSearches.com