Want a Job Change, But Too Busy To Look?

Are you unhappy in your job, but too drained to find the time to look for something new? Dealing with burnout while trying to consider a job change is all too common. When you're already overworked and a bit depressed, job hunting feels out of reach. Following are some tips to help you get started:

👣 Take small steps. You don’t have to find a job in a day. And taking one or two small steps can propel you to take more. What is the minimum thing you can do to get started? Update a section of your resume? Reach out to one or two people in your network? You’d be surprised by the energy and enthusiasm these small steps can generate.

🤔 Contemplate what you want from your job. Your first small step could be to first think. What are your values? What are your needs? What are non-negotiables? What are your goals? If you can identify these you can eliminate wasted time on interviews that aren't a good fit.

🚧 Establish some boundaries. To find the time and energy for anything in your personal life, including finding a new job or career, you need to establish boundaries at work. Can you avoid logging on in the evening? Can you delegate more work. The reason you may be overwhelmed could be because you are a hyper-achiever, people pleaser, or avoider. Recognize what is driving you to say yes and determine if yes is really the right answer. What would happen if you said no, provided a longer time frame to deliver, or delegated the work to someone else? Remember, finding the time for you is important. So tell that hyper-achiever or people pleaser in you that the world won’t end if that project is done by someone else or the deadline is more realistic.

👥 Don’t forget your network. A small effort that also has the benefit of increasing your connectedness, is to start meeting with your network and let them know you are considering new opportunities. Your network gets you in the door much faster and easier than blindly submitting your resume to open positions on your favorite job board. It also has the added benefit of getting to understand that culture before you accept a job.

🧰 Consider Outside Help. If what you are doing to solve the problem isn’t working, consider seeking help from a coach or counselor. They can be your catalyst, helping you develop the tools to find time and overcome your hurdles.

🥇 Reflect on your value. What do you bring to the table? Your “why” is critical to standing out in a crowd.

🗓️ Block out time on your calendar. Identify 30 minutes each week that you can dedicate to move your job search forward. Is the weekend available? If so, that could serve as a nice quiet time to dedicate.

✈️ Take a vacation. You’d be surprised how shutting your mind off for a week can unload your mind and increase your creativity. Take a vacation. I find when I get away I get my best ideas. You don’t have to go anywhere, it could be a staycation. You could use that time to start working on small steps to move you towards your goal.

Remember, you are more important than your job. And although you may feel down now, some of these steps you can take will start to generate more positive energy and propel you forward. And whatever pace you are working at is right for you at this time in your life, so don't beat yourself up about it.