Job search burnout: What to expect when you’re waiting

Rejection stings. And a polite business casual rejection email in reply to a cover letter you slaved over is salt in the wound. The fact that you freshly edited your resume with a job description’s buzz words and still received a no, that’s now a spritz of lemon in the wound. 

It’s normal to feel overwhelmed, anxious, and even fearful when applying for a new job, especially when you keep hearing “no” over and over again. You teeter between being excited when a new job description reads like a perfect fit and then feeling crushed when you are ghosted by another company without so much as an initial interview. 

You are not alone. I repeat you are not alone! God has a plan, I promise. Here’s how to avoid job search burnout and what to expect when you’re waiting.

Offer up your job search 

Offer each word you write to God because your sacrifices during the job search can glorify Him and become a prayer. This includes every application, every perceived missed opportunity, every interview. God may close doors to good opportunities, but all this means is He has something better for you, more intentional, more personal, and more attuned to the path that is your life. Let Him sanctify your work. Invite the Holy Spirit into the process before you start your applications (time to pull out the Surrender Novena). St. Gianna Mola, St. Catejan, St. Joseph, and St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross are great patrons to aid your search. 

Give yourself structure

In order to avoid job burnout, you need a routine. Create a schedule that allots time to work on applying for jobs, but also for enrichment. If painting relaxes you, set aside time during the day to paint. Schedule exercising or a 20-minute walk between application submissions. Find joy and cultivate your skills with the free time that you (may) have. 

Find encouragement in the little things 

Working full-time while job hunting is a tricky balancing act. At this point maybe you aren’t looking for enrichment, you’re just looking for sanity. Reward yourself each time you apply for a job by keeping a candy drawer and eating a piece when you submit another application. Or pause to enjoy a cup of your favorite coffee or tea. Maybe you’d prefer to unwind with a nice long shower or your favorite meal. 

When I have a monotonous computer task coming up (the dreaded cover letter), I usually do my nails. That way, I have a little something to keep my spirits up every time I look down to type. Whatever it is, balance what brings you joy with working hard.

Try calling a close friend or keeping in touch with family. Ask your friends and family to write down positive words of affirmation, and keep these next to your desk while you work. Having a support system to remind you of your worth while facing rejection can be a game changer. 

Have a game plan and a goal 

Every time you see a job posting that catches your eye, keep it in a spreadsheet. In the spreadsheet, track all the jobs you’ve applied for, the ones that need follow-up emails, and links to job postings that interest you. Even if your life isn’t going according to plan, you can stay on top of your due dates and keep organized. 

Consider joining alum groups and networking in person through informational interviews. Sometimes it really is who you know, and it doesn’t hurt to meet more people. You never know when a connection could lead to something great. 

Worried about gaps in your resume? Don’t be afraid of part-time work; it could be a stepping stone to a full-time position within the company or elsewhere. 

Keep going, you got this!

Job search burnout is real, and it can wear you down fast. It’s easy to feel discouraged and take rejection personally, especially when you’ve put effort into an opportunity that didn’t pan out. It’s okay to feel that disappointment and acknowledge the effort you put in. But sometimes, a closed door is simply a sign that something better aligned to where you are meant to be lies ahead. Remember, your job is not your identity, and it certainly doesn’t define your worth.