In today’s world, a successful job search can take some time, which can, understandably, leave employment seekers feeling frustrated and overwhelmed. For survivors looking for work during or after treatment, these feelings may be amplified by physical fatigue or other ongoing side effects. Thankfully, a recent article in Fast Company outlines practical steps to help combat “job-search burnout” and keep you moving in the right direction. Here are a few of the highlights:

1. Reframe Your Thinking. Rather than getting bogged down by the thought that all your efforts in applying for jobs is getting you nowhere, start to believe each resume submitted brings you one step closer to landing that perfect position. For many people, regardless of health history, educational background or any other personal factors, a successful job search is ultimately a numbers game. So, if you feel like the process is taking forever, don’t take it personally. Instead, focus on concrete steps that will get you to the next level.
2. Spend Hours Not Days Fine-Tuning Your Resume. While it is very important to have a succinct, future-focused and error-free resume to share with potential employers, don’t go too far down the rabbit hole of trying to make it “perfect.” Spend an afternoon refining descriptions of transferrable skills and figuring out which format works best for you. Then incorporate some industry-specific keywords that resume-scanning software will pick up on, proofread it, and send it out! If you’d like some professional guidance on how to get started, check out our free Resume Review Service.
3. Create a Framework for Cover Letters. Crafting a unique, personalized cover letter for every job application is an absolute necessity; but the process of doing so can start to feel cumbersome. To make things more manageable, spend some time coming up with a general framework that can then be tailored for each position you’re targeting. Be sure there’s room to talk about relevant past accomplishments as well as weave in some of the specific language used in the job posting. But remember, cover letters should be brief, in order to hold the attention of busy hiring managers.

For more on beating job search burnout, check out the full article on Fast Company’s website as well as these other CAC resources:

• Articles on Looking for Work
• Resume Review Service
• Ask a Career Coach Message Board
• CAC’s Job Search Toolkit
• Archived webinars:
  • Managing Long-Term Stress
  • Job Search
  • Career Change
  • Building an Effective LinkedIn Profile