How To Protect Your Peace While Job Searching

Joy Dixon Paul: Hey there and welcome to Joyfully Black, the podcast where we redefine self care and mental wellness for black women and women of color. I'm your host, Joy Dixon Paul. And here we will explore the strategies and stories that help you thrive, whether you're balancing careers, families, or the demands of community life.Because staying in the black isn't just about managing your finances. It's about managing your life with joy and attention.

Hey, y'all. Welcome back to Joyfully Black. I'm your host, Joy Dixon Paul, and today we are tackling a topic that's been heavy on a lot of people's hearts lately. That's job searching in this tough economy while maintaining your mental wellness. Today is a solo episode and I'm just really want to dive into this with you because let's be real, the job market right now is rough. Rough riding. Rough. Okay?

The federal government just let go of thousands of employees. Major companies are laying off folks left and right.And anytime you log on to LinkedIn, you can see that unemployment is climbing.

And if you are actively looking, I know I don't have to tell you how exhausting and frustrating and discouraging it can be. I mean, sending out hundreds of applications, getting ghosted, hearing leave the side of the gal in another direction over and over and over. I mean, it's enough to shake anyone's confidence.

So today we are really going to talk about how to protect your peace while job searching, how to navigate rejection without internalizing it, and how to stay grounded in your worth even when this crazy job market is making you feel otherwise. Because your career doesn't define you, your value isn't tied to whether or not you get a callback. And frankly, you deserve to be well, even in uncertain times.

So let's get into it. First of all, I really just want to acknowledge the elephant in the room. This process is emotionally draining. As you as anybody who's ever searched for a job. Job hunting isn't just about sending out applications. It's about managing constant uncertainty. The rewrites, it's waiting, and unfortunately, the rejection. And if you have been searching for months with no leads, let's face it, it can start to feel a little personal. Okay, but hear me when I say this, you are not the problem.

This unprecedented job market is wild, and it is a problem. As you can see, companies are ghosting candidates. I mean, there's even ghost postings, which. That's wild. That's a whole other story. And not because you know you aren't qualified, but because they're overwhelmed, they're understaffed.

These layoffs are happening not because workers aren't good enough, because let's face it, there's a lot of high performing people who are being laid off. But it's because corporations are prioritizing their bottom line. And if you're struggling to land something, it's not a reflection of your talent, intelligence or worth. It's a reflection of an economy that's making it harder than ever to find stable, well-paying jobs.

And so before we go any further, I really want you to take a deep breath. No, I'm serious. I want you to take a deep breath and release any self-blame that you might be carrying. And listen to me when I say you are doing your best in a broken system and that is enough.

I really want to dive into some strategies on how to protect your mental health while job searching. So, let's talk about how to stay mentally and emotionally well in this in this phase. Here's some key things to keep in mind.

First, you might already be doing this, but if you're not, I hope this really helps create a job search schedule and set boundaries. Listen, job searching can really take over your entire life if you let it. So instead of spending all day refreshing LinkedIn. I have been guilty of that before too. Set specific job search hours. Let's say maybe 9am to 12pm and then step away and treat it like a job. Like structure your day, take breaks and clock out. Sometimes having that routine can really help us feel like we have our arms around something in a time when things are just so nebulous and out of control.

And some people say quantity is everything. Maybe applying to 50 jobs a day, that doesn't mean that 50 jobs, you're applying 50 jobs a day is being productive. Think about that quality in addition to that quantity.Okay?

A lot of people are using AI to help adjust and edit their resumes and cover letters. And so once again, creating structure around it can can really help contain some of that anxiety that can come up during this time.

Next, don't let rejection define you and it's easy to say but not hearing back or getting rejected is not a reflection of you. It is truly a numbers game. I am hearing from people who are hiring. If you've ever been on the hiring side of the table or maybe you are a person who's currently hiring,

you know, it is a numbers game. I am hearing that right now. You know, when there is a vacant position, instead of getting maybe a hundred hits total or 200 hits. Total job postings are now getting,

you know, a hundred hits in the first hour.

So just know it's not you. It is purely listed. There's a vast number of people out there seeking work at the same time.

So if, when, if you get rejected, allow yourself to feel disappointment, but don't dwell. Keep moving. It's okay to feel it. I mean, we can feel those challenging emotions. But let's, let's not dwell and let's reframe that rejection as revolution. Redirection. If a company isn't the right fit, honey, they are doing you a favor by passing you up.

I mean, for anyone that's ever been in a toxic work environment, sometimes you're like, oh, shoot, I wish I had. I. You ru the day that you had stepped into that office or decided to say yes to a role.

So remember, that is a redirection. Okay?

And next, stay connected to your community. Isolation makes job hunting feel so much worse. So staying connected with family, friends and professional networks can really make a difference.

Leaning into support groups or career focused communities like LinkedIn groups, Slack communities,

even local job seeker meetups can really help you feel less alone. And so you have some people in your corner. And truth be told, sometimes people don't know what you need.

Oftentimes, I shouldn't say sometimes, oftentimes, people don't know what you need until you voice it.

And it may feel unfamiliar to ask for help, especially when you're used to being the strong friend or the person who is accustomed to being the resource for others.

I can even say for myself, I remember a few years ago, I was struggling with an issue. I don't. It wasn't job searching related, but it was related to a job. And I was struggling with the issue a few years ago and I was in a state thousands of miles away from home, feeling very isolated and a very astute friend. I guess she could just hear the stress or tension in my voice of whatever we were, you know, talking about. And despite my protest that everything was fine, as, you know, us people who, you know, you just like, look, I'mma just get it done.

Despite my protest that everything was fine, she said something that really stopped me in my tracks and really made me reconsider not opening up. And she said, you know, she simply said something so beautiful. She said, “let me have the honor of carrying this burden with you.” I was so struck by her saying that because I'd never had anyone other than, you know, you know, maybe my husband or, or parents say See, something like that to me. And that's when it hit me that by refusing, by refusing to allow people in, it denies them, it deprives them of the opportunity to reciprocate all that you have given. And it's such a gift to be able to show up and be present for people.

And I get it. Listen. Everyone may not have the cushioning, trusted loved ones to listen,

but I will say that some people can pleasantly surprise you when given the chance. Now, this doesn't mean you go to the person who's always been negative in your ear.

No, I am not saying that at all. But I am saying that, you know, there are people, maybe you have been a resource for others and they've always wanted to give back to you in some way, but they never knew how. This may be an opportunity. And how many times have we ever said, like, oh, I needed this and someone said, why don't you tell me, I just knew about this, or I just had this opportunity available.

So speaking up, staying in connection with folks, it can really make a difference. And it leads me to my next point number four. Find joy and purpose. Outside of work, you have more than your career.

So taking time to find small ways to experience joy daily can make such a difference. Whether it's reading, working out, volunteering, or simply watching your favorite show. And taking time to really just celebrate small wins. Even if it's just updating your resume or sending out three solid applications saying, you know what, I didn't get everything done today, but I got these three, these things done.

And celebrating that can really just be a little, a little quick boost.

And then last but not least, taking care of your mind and body. So, move your body in whatever way that feels good to you. If it's stretching, sometimes, you know, you do the stretch with your arms all the way out and just jazz hands it out. Or, you know me, I'm a Zumba girly. It could just help reset your body, right? So moving your bodies, taking time to sleep, eating nourishing foods.

Because look, job searching is already hard and an exhausted mind can make it feel so much worse.

And yes, getting rest can be much easier said than done. But if you need to disconnect from the job search for a day, maybe two to reset, do that. And even if you feel like, okay, I can't take two days off,

as I mentioned a little earlier, you know, schedule that time where you're saying, you know what, I'm going to devote 9 to 12 or 12 to 3 or whatever time works for you if you find that your energy is much higher in the evening, maybe that's, maybe that's 9 to 12 for you.

And if you are currently in the job market and you're not currently employing job market, if you know that you're a night owl and that's when you get things done, hey, do it then.

Or if you are a morning lark, do it early in the morning. Just make sure that you are disconnecting when you need to because burnout is not going to help you land a job any faster.

Being well rested and being at least more rested can help you. When you do get that call back. Be able to clearly and coherently speak about all the many amazing things that you have previously done and really share share how you have made an impact.

So I know it is tough out here and if you're feeling discouraged, I just want to continue to remind you your career is not your identity.

So many of us, present company included, I am guilty of this too, have really placed our value and our worth on productivity. Titles and accolades. It's hard not to right that external validation can be so gratifying, but remembering that your worth is not determined by a job title be so, so very freeing.

You are valuable, whole and capable regardless of wherever you are in your journey. And I just,

I just want all of you that are listening to remember that. And if you are in this season right now of job searching, maybe you're currently employed and you see the writings on the wall and you know that you need to start looking.

Or maybe you are currently, currently laid off. Just remember, take it one step at a time. Keep applying, don't forget to rest,keep pushing, but don't neglect your mental health. Keep believing in yourself because something better is coming. I really trust and believe that.

And if you need a space to refuel, to be in community and to pour back into yourself,

I want to invite you to join our virtual event that's coming up on March 8, our Flourish and Feel Good virtual event on March 8, which is also International Women's Day.

And this is going to be a space for you to take a deep breath and charge and remind yourself that you are so much more than your job search. And you can RSVP at www.bitly/FlourishFeelgood.com

You can also RSVP at the link in my bio and I would just love, love, love to see you there and be in community with you.

So if this episode is speaking to you, it's resonating. Send it to a friend who's in the thick of job hunting because we need these reminders now more than ever. And as always, don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode of Joyfully Black. I hope that today's episode is helpful to you as you are in the job market or maybe you're helping, you know, helping a friend or loved one maintain their mental wellness while they're job searching this economy.

And know that I'm here with you and drop me a note, let me know which one of these strategies that you're trying for yourself. I'd love to hear from you. You can tag me on Joyfully Black or you can send an email. So until next time, keep going, keep believing, and most of all, keep taking care of you. You've got this.

Thank you for joining me on this episode of Joyfully Black. Remember, taking care of yourself isn't a luxury, it's a necessity. If you enjoyed today's conversation, please be sure to subscribe, share and leave a five star review. You can keep the conversation going by connecting with our community on Instagram at Joyfully Black. That's Joyfully Blk on Instagram. Until next time, stay in the black, y'all.