The suspense that often follows an interview is part of a job-search, but it can take a toll on you, particularly if you have left a job where decisions were made rapidly and results could be seen in a short time. Because you got a quick response from your actions, you felt in control.
When you’re looking for a job, you have to wait for other people to act — for calls and emails to be returned, for example — before you can take the next step. That gets frustrating if you are in the habit of hurrying.
The waiting game isn’t going to change, but you can change how you react to the process be developing an added measure of patience.
Here are some things you can do to cope with the waiting process without becoming too stressed.
• Work your daily job-search plan, and keep a structure to your day. Decide on starting and ending times for your job-search workday, and stick to them as much as possible.
• Exercise. It helps to reduce stress and serves as an outlet for energy.
• Focus on one task at a time.
• If you become preoccupied with waiting, replace that preoccupation with a more productive use of your time, such as completing a project.
• Practice doing nothing and feeling OK about it.
There’s an added payoff to developing these skills. Patience is a quality that will help you reduce your stress level in every area of your life. That’s never a bad thing.
How do you deal with waiting to hear back after a job interview?
