For anyone who has been unemployed and looking for work for an extended period of time, the statement “job searches are stressful” is an understatement.  But how can job seekers handle the stress inherent in looking for work?  Below are a few tips:

Relieving Financial Stress

Even if you’re receiving unemployment benefits or have a generous severance package, your financial situation is probably nothing like what it was when you were fully employed. That’s why job seekers need to acknowledge and adjust to the inevitable financial stress they will experience when facing a long job search.   

Budget – Create a realistic plan to spend and save.

Adjust – Make any necessary lifestyle adjusts (moving, selling a car, removing kids from private school etc.).

Plan For The Worse – Create worse-case scenario plan. What will happen if you don’t find a job by a certain amount of time?

Alleviating Physical Stress

Are you experiencing fatigue, aches, and loss of appetite?  It’s probably stress.  Job seekers need to make sure they continue to maintain their physical health by exercising, eating healthy and visiting the doctor when necessary.  Don’t think you have time? Scheduling one or two 15 minute walks around the block can go a long way in alleviating physical stress.

Relieving Emotional Stress

The biggest myth facing job seekers is that our society says that you are your work. And if you’re not working somehow you are less than or that you’re a failure.  Don’t buy into that falsehood. Make sure you avoid negative self-talk and find a support system of people who are willing to help you emotionally through this transition.