Reader Response Requested: How Do You Balance Job Searching with…?

For this week’s question, let’s collaborate. This week you are the experts.

 This week I’d like to know:

How do you balance job searching with… ____ life? Another job? School? I’m going to get you started with my reply (though I’ve been off the job market for about a year and a half), then I hope you will share your tips in the comments.

When I was job searching, I remember, at times, being overwhelmed with the job searching process. I was applying for job after job, while working and in school. It’s hard! My advice is to prioritize. This can be easier said than done, but your whole life can’t be spent working, studying, and applying for jobs. It’s just not sustainable!

So prioritize your off hours at home. Make a schedule, set a time limit, decide how many jobs per week you need to be applying for, whatever works best for you. Decide that you’ll work on job applications from 7-9 pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights. Or decide that you’ll commit six hours per week to the job application process. Or try to apply to five jobs in one week. This can include finding jobs to apply for, emailing references, or working on actual applications itself. I often find I work more effectively if I have a specific block of time to devote to a task. If you structure your job application process like you would structure tasks at work, this can also help prepare you for your next job. Win win!

Aside from prioritizing your time, it’s also important to not work. Destress in ways that are relaxing to you. Cook a new recipe, bake your favorite treat, go for a run, read a good book, watch some tv, get outdoors. A job will eventually happen, but balance in life is important too. Best wishes with your job search!

– Sarah Keil, Instruction and Serials Librarian, Trevecca Nazarene University

What do you think readers?