A Gentle Approach to the Job Search
The start of a new year often comes with mixed emotions. There’s excitement about fresh possibilities but that feeling of possibility can also feel daunting. Especially if you’re thinking about restarting or beginning a job search, it can feel overwhelming to figure out where to begin. Many people that I speak with put off starting a job search because they simply don’t know where to start. If that resonates with you, please know you’re not alone. Also, know that you don’t need huge steps or a perfect plan to take action.
Photo by Van Trang Ho
As we start off this new year together, I’m happy to share calm and realistic tips each week through my blog (and my Instagram!) to help you move forward in a way that feels calm and approachable. You can save these posts for whenever you need an encouraging lift.
A Low-Stress Way to Move Forward
Each week, I’ll be sharing up to three simple actions you can take to help organize your job search and reduce overwhelm. These tips aren’t meant to be exhaustive or demanding. They’re designed to be doable, even on days when your energy is low. There’s no pressure to do everything. There’s no “right” pace. There’s just enough structure to help you feel grounded and in control again.
Week One: Keep It Simple
For this first week, try thinking about three small things you can realistically accomplish to help yourself move forward.
That might look like:
Creating a short, manageable to-do list
Tidying your workspace or digital files
Giving yourself intentional mental space to reflect and reset
None of these steps are flashy or massive, but they matter. Small actions build momentum, and momentum builds confidence.
A Gentle Reminder
You don’t need to overhaul your entire life or job search in one week. Progress doesn’t come from doing everything at once. Confidence and progress comes from doing one thing at a time. I notice that when I feel like I am in a slump and don’t know how to move forward, I tend to simply stop. Stopping to recharge is important, but when I make one small thing for that day a priority, it often leads to more positive productivity the next day.
In such a daunting time in the market, please know that there is hope. I’m starting to see clients reopen paused jobs and hiring as the new year gets underway. Budgets are being revised and opened as the year starts. But all of that doesn’t mean anything if you’re not remembering to be kind to yourself. Being kind to yourself allows you to show up, both for yourself and the market, in a genuine and authentic way. You’re allowed to move slowly and you’re allowed to start where you are.
You’ve got this. And remember that I’m here to help along the way.