3 Times You're Making The Job Search More Stressful Than It Should Be

By Michelle Wanjiku
The job search process can be stressful, from coming up with a good CV and cover letter to ensuring your interview goes perfectly.
However, there are some instances in which you are making the process a lot more stressful than it actually needs to be.
1. When You Don’t Apply For a Job as Soon as It’s Posted
Yes, it is advisable to apply for a job as soon as it is posted because in some instances shortlisting starts immediately after the job is advertised. However, this is not always possible because you saw the job advert a few days later.
When this happens, you probably think that even if you apply there is no way you will get an interview. This is not always the case because sometimes the first applications do not match what the employer is looking for which means that they will continue to look at applications as they come in.
Instead of passing up on a job that you are qualified for just because you are a few days’ late, craft a good application where you customize your CV and cover letter to match the job. You never know, you just might be the one to get the job.
For example, when I was applying for jobs right after university, I came across an advert for a communication position. The problem was it had been posted a week before. I debated whether I should even bother applying for it but in the end decided there was nothing to lose. Two days later I got called for an interview for that position and ended up working there for one year.
What you need to ensure is that you are not applying for jobs way past the deadline date that was specified. After the deadline has passed, that position is either already field or the email to send applications to no longer works.
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2. When You Don’t Want to Accept a Job on the Spot
You have probably been told that once you are given a job offer you should accept it immediately so that they don’t end up offering it to someone else.
This is not always true in every situation. The fact that you are the one they gave the job offer tells you that you were the first choice meaning that you don’t have to rush and take a job with poor pay for example.
Employers don’t offer a job to multiple people unless the position required numerous people. They will only offer the next person the job if you cannot come to an agreement on the terms or you decide to turn down the offer.
So, if you want to negotiate the terms of the offer, which is something that you should do, then you have the right to go ahead and do so. If you feel like you need a little more time to think it through, don’t be afraid to ask for more time.
Just ensure that you don’t take too long to get back to the employer because then you could miss out on a great opportunity. There is nothing wrong with wanting time to go through the job offer and see if it is a fit for you.
3. When a Connection Asks for a Copy of Your CV
The reason you network is so that you can be recommended for positions you would otherwise not get an opportunity to apply for. So it is only normal that when one of your networks asks for your CV, you start stressing because maybe your CV has not been updated yet.
However, it is important to remember that you don’t have to send the CV five minutes after your connection asked for it and you should also not wait two weeks to send it.
It is better if you take a day to send them your CV and be sure that the one you have sent is up to date and free of any mistakes than to send one immediately that is out of date and full of mistakes. Remember it is the quality of your application that matters.
So your best reaction to being asked for your CV is to thank your connection and tell them you will work on it as quickly as possible. Remember to ask about a deadline for sending it but send the curriculum vitae before the deadline or latest a day after the request came in.
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In Conclusion,
Searching for a job is not an easy task and sometimes you are the one who is complicating your job hunting process. Yes, there is a lot on the line because you have bills to pay and you don’t want to become unemployed. But you need to remember that not everything is worth having sleepless nights over.