If you’re feeling stuck where you are, unable to progress or grow within your career, you’re far from alone. We’re in a very volatile job market right now, where the effects of lockdown, like the huge surge of the tech industry and remote working, and shifting priorities has led to high competition, mass layoffs, and constant change in work culture. This has made a lot of people describe the job market as “insane”, but particularly a nameless graduate featured in The Guardian. And, if we’re honest, it might be exactly the word to explain the feeling of repeating applications, interviews, and rejection e-mails, because what is the definition of “insanity” if not repeating the same thing over and over and expecting different results?
And yet, that is the job market process, and the hustler influencers’ ways of trying to shake up the process don’t offer a lot of hope. Sure, you can network, and ask favours, but your best bet is to apply, interview, rejection email, and repeat until the cycle breaks.
So, how do you do it without sacrificing your confidence, self-worth, and your mental health overall? We break down the best advice for getting through the job market on the other side with not only a job, but your sanity.
Understand the Reality of the Job Market
Does understanding the cause of the “insanely” volatile job market help? Let’s find out.
We’ve already covered that we’re still reeling from the effects of Covid. We got used to working from home, and it’s been an argument in offices and a benefit on job descriptions ever since. The tech industry got cocky and hired thousands of new recruits, only to go through mass firings a couple of years later. Meanwhile, the more unstable concept of the gig economy took off due to war and, well Liz Truss amongst others, crashing the economy.
All of this has led to a much more obvious change to job seekers: the new recruitment practices that drive us insane. Applications that feel like they take days to fill out and are made up of all the information you already have in your CV, “tasks” that verge on free labour, AI-driven screening that is reported to be racist and sexist, and plenty of other problems voiced on LinkedIn feeds.
All of it has led job seekers to the expectation that this is not going to be a quick change. Finding the right job might take months or even years of searching.
Build Your Resilience
So, we need some tools to get through the job market. Our first piece of advice is to try to control only what you can control. Focus on the things you can have an effect on, such as networking, upskilling, tailoring your applications, and trying to keep the buzz of market unpredictability out of your mind. It’s easier said than done.
Focus on your small wins. An interview is a success. It means your CV is impressive. A new connection is a success. It means your in-person skills are good. Completing a course is a success. You’ll keep that for the rest of your career.
Adapt to the New Normal
You can ease that feeling of being stuck with some moves like focusing on yourself in between applications. Look up courses in trending areas in your industry. Consider digital marketing, data analysis, project management, etc. to give you a boost in the insane job market.
If you have the time, fill it with temporary roles, freelance work, or contract work to gain experience that you can use in your CV and get some extra pocket money while you look for more permanent roles.
And of course, there is networking. It’s all very well saying you should meet and talk to people, but it’s the 21st century: all applications and interviews are done online. A networking opportunity is for the bigwigs in companies that are looking for investors. Where do you even look for networking opportunities?
Well, there’s no reason networking can’t be an online venture too. Optimise your social media to showcase a personal brand and take a look at platforms like AngelList for startup opportunities, and MeetUp for in-person networking events. Follow Facebook groups in your industry, where people are surprisingly talkative, and engage with virtual events and webinars.
Maintain Your Mental Health
But the best way to avoid going insane traversing through the job market is to set healthy boundaries. You don’t need to apply for jobs every day, especially when you’re likely to see the same jobs you applied to yesterday. Maybe fold Indeed into the list of apps you have on Do Not Disturb on your phone on the weekends and evenings and try not to look at job listings before bed.
And the usual rules of trying to stay sane apply: lean on friends and family, do meditation, binge TV watching, journalling or whatever keeps you sane after a commute that was bumper to bumper or a roommate ate your ice cream. Breathe and know you’re not alone.
Conclusion
Job hunting was driving us all insane long before anyone worried about the definition of a “pandemic” versus an “epidemic”, but today it takes more adaptability and resilience to survive it. Keep the faith, set your own boundaries, and remember that what’s for you won’t go by you.