What to do when feeling exhausted by the job search

Applying for job after job without success can get exhausting.   

Similar to feeling burnout in a role, burnout can be just as common in the job search. And it’s commonly felt after you’ve applied for multiple roles but haven’t received an offer for any.   

When you haven't managed to secure a new role, you’ll also likely expand what roles you’re open to, and eventually may end up far away from where you started.   

You’ll know when you’ve hit this point because you might be:  

1. Not researching the company or role before applying  
2. Submitting cover letters or applications that aren’t tailed to the role you’re applying for   
3. Broadening what roles/conditions you may be open to   
4. Losing motivation to continue the job search

If you’ve managed to get to this point, you could potentially find yourself in a role that won’t satisfy your professional needs and challenge you. With this, there is a strong chance that you won’t feel encouraged to stay in the role long term and then soon you’ll be back at square one.   

When you’re at the point of making multiple applications at one time, you’re naturally less likely to make the effort to tailor a resume or cover letter to the role you’re applying for. And maybe you’re made your resume to be relatively generic so you can do bulk applications.   

With this, you might also be less inclined to research the company you’re applying to, making it hard to talk to the hiring manager or recruiter when they give you a call. If you’ve got no idea what the role or who the company is when they call, you're discounting yourself a headstart.   

So how do you overcome it?  

It can be difficult, and especially when you’re feeling burned out from submitting applications it can be hard to muster up the motivation to pursue a new role.   

But there are a few things you could do.   

Get in touch with a recruitment agency  

Not every role is advertised, so by contacting a recruiter you’ll gain access to the hidden job market, but a recruiter may also help you assess what your transferrable skills are and how to best market yourself. They are also specialists in the industry and so they naturally have market knowledge they can share with you.   

Identify what you’re not willing to comprise on and stick to it   

It’s about quality, not quantity. If you’ve reached this point, you’re likely feeling unmotivated, but the best way forward is to identify what roles you align with and then dedicate your energy to putting forward your absolute best application.   

Do your research  

Clicking submit and then forgetting where you’ve applied is never going to get you anywhere. Tailor your cover letter, call the number at the bottom of the ad, and keep track of what you’ve applied to. That way, if you’ve done the research and have someone call, you know what you’re talking about and it doesn’t look like you’ve just applied to lots of roles and then hoped for the best.   

If you’ve done your research and are confident in your application, remember that you’re interviewing the company as much as they are interviewing you. Remain confident in your application and ask questions.   

At the end of the day, hold off applying to roles that you aren’t certain you’ll be satisfied within.   

Burnout is real and when you’re experiencing it, it’s hard to pull yourself up from it. Eight Recruitment is always here to help if you need an extra hand. 

Email your resume to info@eightrecruitment.com.au if you’d like to chat with a consultant. They’ll also allow you to join our database and let you know of any jobs that haven’t hit the market yet.