The Job Seeker’s Guide to Mindfulness | FlexJobs

Did you find a job that seemed like it was a dream job? Custom-made just for you? You spent hours tailoring your resume and tweaking your cover letter to ensure that you looked like the best possible candidate. When you saw the email from the recruiter in your inbox, you opened it, sure that you were going to be scheduling an interview, only to discover a generic rejection.

The hopeful high you were on can plummet quickly in the face of setbacks and disappointments, which, in turn, can rob you of any ambition to move forward to the next application and eat away at your self-confidence.

Even though it can be highly challenging, staying optimistic throughout the job search process is essential. It will directly impact how you present yourself and help determine your future success. One way to do that is by practicing mindfulness, which can help you build the tools to focus on the present moment and stay positive, even during difficult times.

Being Mindful Throughout Your Job Search

While you might associate mindfulness with meditation music and a yoga studio, practicing mindfulness can be simple and uncomplicated. Consider the following ways you can incorporate mindfulness in your job search to help you stay on track and navigate the inevitable highs and lows.

— Handle Rejection Gracefully

It’s an understatement to say that job searching can be difficult at times, and it’s easy to get discouraged after receiving multiple rejections. However, mindfulness can help you manage your reactions and refocus your energy on your job search goals.

When you’re feeling down, take a step back and remind yourself of your progress. Focus on the milestones you’ve accomplished and the positive outcomes. These reminders will help you keep your motivation high and stay on track during your job search.

— Trust Yourself to Be Decisive

When you’re job hunting, you know that time is of the essence. But sometimes, making a quick decision can feel too risky if you don’t trust yourself. After all, what if you make the wrong choice?

Mindfulness can help you let go of that fear and make those rapid decisions because you trust the decisions you’ve already made. If it’s a position you’ve been waiting for, don’t hesitate to take the opportunity. It could be with your future employer. Give yourself some credit for taking a chance when your mind hesitates. You never know what might happen if you just go for it.

— Practice Kindness Toward Yourself

It’s all too easy to be hard on yourself when looking for a new job. You might look at the job description and focus only on the qualifications that you don’t have. But it’s important to remember that not every employer is looking for someone who has every capability. They might be looking for someone who has most of the qualifications but, more importantly, someone who would be a great culture fit that they could train for the other qualifications.

So, if you’re longing for the role, don’t hesitate to apply. You might be precisely who they’re looking for!

— Avoid Assumptions

It can be easy to quickly judge an employer or job posting based on one potential negative. However, it’s essential to take some time to learn more about the company and the role before making any decisions. There may be more to the company than meets the eye, and you might be surprised at how well you would fit in there.

The best way to get a feel for a company is to talk to someone who works there. Search your network for someone who can tell you about their experiences working at the company, or schedule an informational interview.

Try to avoid focusing on one negative review from one disgruntled employee. Instead, do your research online, reading up on the company’s history, culture, and values. With a little effort, you can get a much better sense of whether or not a company is right for you. Remember, a review is simply one person’s perspective.

— Nurture Intentions

No matter what your goal is, whether it’s big or small, personal or professional, writing it down is a great way to hold yourself accountable and increase the likelihood of achieving it. But sometimes, a goal can feel overwhelming, especially if it’s something you haven’t created boundaries around. That’s where setting an intention can be helpful. Unlike a goal, which can be all-consuming, an intention keeps you focused on your why.

For example, let’s say your goal is to find a new job. Rather than simply applying to every job that comes your way, you might set the intention of applying to five jobs a day for employers you admire that would create a better work-life balance for you. This allows you to be more selective in the resumes you submit while keeping you more focused on the long-term goal.

Overall, setting goals and intentions can be a great way to hold yourself accountable and increase your chances of success. Just remember to be realistic about what you can achieve and focus on the present moment.

— Stay Present in the Moment

If you’re like most people, the thought of job hunting can be anxiety-inducing. After all, a lot is riding on your ability to land a good position. Try to stay focused on the task at hand, and try not let your anxiety get to you.

One of the worst things you can do is dwell on past job search failures. This will only increase your stress further and make it harder to focus on the present. Instead, try to stay positive, and stay focused on the steps you need to take to find a great new job. By practicing some deep breathing and bringing yourself back to the moment, you’ll be much better equipped to accomplish the next task on your list.

Mindfully Create Job Search Success

The next time you get a disappointing response to an application or your resume, take a few minutes for some deep breathing and visualization before you move forward with intention. It may seem like a small thing, but it can mean the difference between bouncing back to submit a fantastic resume for the following role or not.

After all, mindfulness is about being in control of your thoughts and feelings to be at your best when it matters most. Applying these techniques will help show potential employers that you are resilient and confident in your abilities.