How to avoid burnout when looking for a remote job
Even in "normal" times, job hunting isn't easy and burnout is hard to identify: Is it the stress of looking for a job? Have you been juggling your current job and looking for a new one? Are you unemployed? It could be a lot of things. Whatever is making you burned out on your remote job search, it's vital to recognise it so that you can do the right things to keep going.
How do you define burnout?
It's important to know that "burnout" is not a medical diagnosis, it's not a mental illness. It's a condition related to overwhelming stress. Just because you haven't experienced burnout yet doesn't mean you won't. Burnout, for example, is when you can show up for work but spend the entire day dreaming of being at a different job.
How do you recognise job search burnout?
One of the things that causes burnout is our inability to recognise the hard stuff welling up inside us. It is so important to recognise burnout symptoms early because when you sink deeper into it, you have a harder time recovering. Here are some signs of job search burnout:
Simple tasks overwhelm you. For example, sending out another resume is daunting.
Health problems. Burnout can lead to poor health, whether physical or mental. Perhaps you aren't sleeping well, or you're getting sick more frequently. You may be constantly anxious, worrying about everyone and everything.
Frustrated and irritable. Are you frustrated with other aspects of your life besides your job search? Do you get upset over small things that didn't bother you before? High stress levels and burnout can lead to this.
Lack of social interaction. Do you avoid social interaction because it drains you? Lack of social support or avoiding social gatherings can increase stress.
We often hear that the cure for burnout is self-care. But it cannot be self-care.
How can you be expected to "self-care" your way out of burnout? You can't.
How do you cure burnout?
Finding a remote job doesn't have to be lonely. What you need is people who care as much about your well-being as you do about theirs, who will turn towards you and say, "You need a break. Let me help you with this”, or just give you 15 minutes of their time to vent about whatever you need to vent about at that moment.
Self-care is not the cure for burnout. It is all of us caring for each other. We cannot do it alone. We need each other. If you would like personalised advice on your remote job search, consider joining my coaching programme. I can help you lead a successful remote job search and show them why YOU are the perfect person for the job. More information here.
Lastly, I strongly recommend this podcast (or this article) to anyone dealing with burnout.
Here are more fully remote jobs.
*If you spot any errors/ any sneaky hybrid remote jobs, please do let me know.
Happy Hump Day!
Michelle