Why Job Hunting Fatigue is a Real Thing in 2020

“If I hear the words ‘unprecedented circumstances’ one more time….” you quietly fume to yourself as you wearily scroll for what seems like the thousandth page of job postings on LinkedIn while having a news channel playing on your TV in the background.

Trust me, I’ve been there.

The year 2020 has brought with it one of the most draining combinations of circumstances that have run rampant on a global scale and have forced millions of people into unemployment in the US. On top of the exhaustion of isolation, social distancing, political unrest, and a strained economy comes the reminders of how quickly finances create more pressure within the household. The urgency of needing to find and maintain working from home is a job in and of itself.

The human brain is more advanced than any computer ever will be. But that being said, it also makes it more prone to feeling the effects of burnout from an oversaturation of information on the daily. A lot of us are taking on this arduous task of job search on our own, and it can feel very lonely. There are also the feelings of depression from rejections and anxiety of the unknown. “So what’s the good news?” you ask. The good news is that all these feelings mean that you’re human and that there are healthy ways to cope with the fatigue of looking for job security during the pandemic.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

It can feel embarrassing to admit openly that you’re struggling, it’s a default setting of humanity. We want to be our best, look our best, feel in control. But at the end of the day, reaching out to someone can bring opportunities you never saw coming, or at the very least you have someone to be a listening ear for those days that are challenging you the most. Isolation during the pandemic has definitely made staying connected more of a task, but thankfully due to technology, we are able to maintain some semblance of communication with the outside world.

Give yourself grace, and put your mental health first.

No job, task, or person is worth risking your mental — and physical — health for. Clear any mental clutter before and during the time you have allotted daily for job searching. Have a self-care routine where you feel your most relaxed and focused after doing it. Even the time of day can make a difference in how functional you can be. Place yourself in an environment where you will have as few distractions as possible. Also, take…breaks. Implementing the Pomodoro method of working in 25-minute intervals with 5-minute breaks in between — consistently — allows your brain to regroup between consumption of information, and it also forces you to pace yourself.

Own your worth and skills!

While it might seem like a no brainer, be sure to update your resume. Sometimes having a panoramic view of your employment history can beneficial in regards to seeing where you want to place your job search the most. Also, ask yourself certain questions about what you want your next employment arrangement to look like. Do you want to work for yourself or someone else? Do you wish to pursue the entrepreneurial route? Do you wish to pursue schooling for a certain career that’s entirely different from your original plan? All in all, don’t feel inferior because of resume rejections, and don’t compare yourself to what seems to be the success of others. You are you, and you are amazing in your own right!

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

Last but certainly not least, beware of making fear and haste-based decisions. You can avoid a lot disappointment by having realistic expectations and some semblance of flexibility. Have only a couple of baskets that you work with first so you won’t get overwhelmed, then take it from there. You will likely get more declines than acceptances as the work-from-home job market becomes more and more competitive in the coming months. But if 2020 has taught us anything, it’s taught us to adapt, survive, and move forward to the best of our ability.