5 steps to avoid job-search frustration

Even when the job market is strong, the job hunt can often feel like one big emotional rollercoaster. Throw in a global pandemic and economic crisis, and it’s safe to assume most job seekers will be especially stressed out.

In fact, when TopResume asked nearly 46,000 job seekers between March 1, 2020 and May 31, 2021 to describe how they felt about their job search, it painted quite a picture:

While it’s clear from the data that women overall have felt less optimistic about job seeking than men throughout this past year, that’s not to say that either gender reported having an overly optimistic outlook, either. In fact, at the time when this data was collected, both genders had yet to reach pre-COVID levels of positivity toward their job searches, despite numerous reports of employers having difficulty finding workers.

Whether you’ve been looking for work for three months or 13 months, it can be easy to slip into job-search despair when most of your job applications go unanswered. While many of the factors that can lead to job-search frustration are beyond your control, there are things you can do to make your job hunt as quick and painless as possible. Follow the steps below to avoid job-search fatigue and land the right role, sooner.

1. Break down your goals

While an effective job search starts with a clear and specific goal, it’s important to then create a plan that breaks down this goal into smaller, more manageable steps so you’re less likely to become overwhelmed by the whole process. Go as far as to give yourself weekly tasks to track and complete (e.g. specific number of applications to submit, networking activities completed, or follow-ups to do on earlier submissions) to keep you focused. 

2. Think twice before you apply

Take a second look at the job listings you’ve been applying for, paying close attention to the list of prerequisite skills and experience, and have an honest conversation with yourself. Do you meet the core must-haves listed for that job, or are you shooting off applications without much thought, hoping something will stick? Before you tailor your resume and cover letter for yet another application, make sure the job opportunity is worth your time.

3. Be ready to beat the bots

Before your resume can impress an employer, it must first get past their recruitment software — known as an applicant tracking system (or ATS, for short) — which typically screens out 75 percent of online applications. To improve your resume’s chances of making it past this ‘hiring bot’ and on to a human for review, use a simple format with clearly marked headers, avoid images and custom fonts, and incorporate the key terms found in the job listing you’re applying for.

4. Clean up your online act

Find out if your digital brand is hurting your chances of landing the job by Googling your name, as it appears on your resume, and reviewing the results. If there are personal accounts you don’t want employers associating with your professional brand, then change the account name or increase the security settings. Also, figure out if there are any old accounts that need to be deactivated or updated to reflect your current activities and job goals.

5. Network like it’s your job

I get it — networking isn’t at the top of everyone’s to-do list. However, there’s no denying the power of a strong professional network when you’re looking for work. In fact, networking can help you uncover opportunities you won’t find online, gain valuable insight into potential employers, and land the all-powerful referral. Studies have shown your chances of getting the job increase tenfold when you have the right referral. 

Whether you want to stick to digital networking for now or are comfortable participating in in-person events, make it a goal to start reconnecting with friends, classmates, former professors and employers, meeting new people in your target industry or field, and conducting informational interviews. 

Bonus tip: Join forces

The job hunt can be a lonely journey, but it doesn’t have to be. Join groups online and in-person to find a peer mentor – another job seeker who’s looking for a similar type of job. Set up weekly check-ins and share resources to keep your respective job searches on track and one another motivated. By combining your efforts, your search is sure to get a boost in the right direction. Worried about the competition? Don’t be — it’s highly unlikely that both of you will be interested in and uniquely qualified for the exact same job.

—Amanda Augustine is the resident career expert for Talent Inc.’s suite of brands: TopResume, TopInterview, and TopCV. With more than 15 years of experience in the recruiting and career-advice industry, she is a certified professional career coach (CPCC) and resume writer (CPRW), helping professionals improve their careers and find the right job sooner.