Job search worries

[url=https://www.ibm.com]IBM[/url]

<a href="https://www.ibm.com">IBM</a>

@purplesloth I get it. One that has helped me a lot is to accept that you're going to have to go through a lot of places and interviews before you find the right fit. And that's okay. You can use your experiences as practice if you still don't feel confident.

And don't forget: YOU are also interviewing THEM. Fit is important. If you're not happy, it will show. I understand you may need to work and need the money but it is also important that you have a say, too.

And if it's a bad interview, it's a bad interview. It's okay if it's bad and you don't get the job. There will be other jobs for you.

I've had my share of interviews both decent and crappy, so I understand the nervousness. But I agree that you should consider them as experience along your quest, and not obsess with getting offers. One interview always naturally prepares you more for the next. Eventually, my interviews (and only the memorable ones) actually have become little anecdotes I can share with friends, and I even laugh at myself.

It may help to remember that you have nothing to lose. If no offer comes from an interview, it's not as if something has been take away from you. You're walking out of there just as you walked in. That's fine. For many of us, it takes time.

And don't forget that these interviewers are regular humans, not supreme beings. Don't be intimidated by any idea of power dynamic (again, they can't take something from you). You should be polite and respectful and informed, but in your head you can assess them too - so I agree with the point above about fit.

@purplesloth

Congratulations on making the decision to look for employment after a two year break. That's a major life change and would be difficult for anyone, including those who don't cope with any anxiety.

It sounds like you've been putting a fair amount of emotional and intellectual energy into your job search. You're taking this seriously and spending a great deal of time doing things that scare you. The actions you've been making over the past three weeks have required a good deal of bravery and motivation - so Kudos! Employers will be lucky to hire a person with that kind of commitment.

You've been doing some journaling, which has been helping, but you're still experiencing headaches, overthinking, undersleeping, and undereating. That's a lot, and it's no wonder you're feeling exhausted. When it becomes difficult to take care of ourselves, things can kind of snowball and make our symptoms even worse.

You may want to consider slowing down a little bit, and coming up with a plan for taking good care of yourself while you do this scary thing.

Some questions come to mind:

1. What ideas do you have about tending to your mental and physical health?

2. Are you farmilar with the coping skills, and mental health tools that can be found in the forums here? Perhaps someone could link to them?

3. Is there anything you might do before and after these interviews to help with your confidence? Like taking an inventory of your strengths, debriefing with someone close to you - or a listener here.

4. Are there any items you find comforting, that you could bring along to your interviews and hide in your pocket? Like a smooth stone to touch, or a felt pad with your favourite essential oils.

You may also need to approach this from multiple angles, as this probably isn't an easy fix solution.

It sounds like you really care, and that's an awesome quality to have. Wishing you luck with everything :)

@purplesloth

hey!! I totally relate to your situation. I recently got married and am looking for various job options. It does get difficult keeping your head up at the end of the day knowing that u haven't been able to do your best. But here's what I think: every day it's just a new challenge, and to keep up and put in your sincere efforts, is in itself a great job accomplished :)

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@purplesloth

Thank you for sharing all of that. it really sounds like you’re carrying a heavy emotional weight right now, and I want you to know how valid and understandable all of this is. Job searching is incredibly stressful, even without the added pressure of it being your first round of interviews after a break. What you’re feeling isn’t strange, it’s a very human response to a lot of uncertainty and pressure.

The dread when your recruiter calls, the intense prep sessions, the mental burnout—it all makes sense. You care deeply about doing well, and that shows in how hard you're trying. But it sounds like you're also putting yourself through a lot without enough space to breathe or recharge, and your body is letting you know through those headaches, loss of appetite, and general exhaustion.

It’s really great that you’ve started journaling, that’s such a powerful way to ground yourself. You might also try giving yourself permission to not prep sometimes. Like, intentionally setting boundaries: “I’ll review for 1 hour, then I’ll take a break and do something that feels calming.” Even short moments where you remind yourself, “I’m doing my best, and that’s enough,” can start to soften the edge a bit.

You're showing so much strength just by continuing to show up and keep trying. That in itself is worth recognizing.

@purplesloth

Thank you for sharing this! I really relate to what you’re going through. The job search process can be so stressful, especially when it starts affecting your mental and physical well-being. That constant sense of pressure and the way your mind keeps spinning, it’s something a lot of us have felt, and it’s honestly so tough.

It sounds like you're doing your best to manage it, especially by journaling and preparing so thoroughly for interviews. Even if it doesn’t always feel like it, showing up and continuing to try is incredibly strong. You're not alone in feeling overwhelmed, a lot of people go through similar feelings, even if they don’t always talk about it.

I hope things start feeling a little lighter for you soon. Thanks again for being open, posts like yours really help others feel less alone too!

@purplesloth Thank you for sharing this! I know it isn't easy especially with the pre-anxieties you can experience prior to an interview and how overwhelming things might seem right now with the amount you have lined up. Just remember you are doing exceptionally well with this process from trying to use journaling as useful coping strategy to manage your thoughts, and by sharing your worries with the 7 Cups platform which can definitely help when trying to gain tips from others who might feel similarly. Please remember to take breaks, practice self-care and to reward yourself for your hard work and dedication, meet up with friends or family and do the things that bring you joy. Everyone deserves to take a break when things feel a little too overwhelming. 

@purplesloth Hey, I just wanted to say I really relate to what you’re going through. Job hunting can be so overwhelming, especially after a break. it’s not just the interviews, it’s all the pressure, uncertainty, the "what-ifs", and the constant self-evaluation. It is very normal that you are feeling mentally and physically strained now. The fact that you’re still showing up and trying, even when it’s so hard, says a lot about your strength. I’m glad journaling helps even a little, and I hope you can also allow yourself to rest, even just for short breaks. You’re not alone in this, and it will get better.