You’ve had the interview. You’ve met the team. There seems to be good chemistry. You feel good about it. You sent your thank you notes. They even said they’d get back with you about next steps. Now the waiting game begins. You wake up thinking about the job and wonder if you will hear something today. You check every email, and while thankful for a five percent off coupon to Target, you wait anxiously for some news. Well, fearless job seeker, you’re not alone in this feeling. Everyone feels it when looking for a job. So what do you do while you are waiting?
Remember you have a job, and that is to find a job. Researching, submitting resumes, following up on leads, and networking all take time and energy. When you are searching for a job, run it like a business and don’t stop until you have the job you want. You have no guarantees about a job until you sign that offer letter and start. In the meantime, you need to keep searching and interviewing for the best job.
Don’t be afraid to follow-up. If after you’ve sent you thank you notes and have not heard anything in a week, it’s entirely appropriate to follow up. Send a courteous and professional email simply asking if there is any update on the position. If you do not receive a response, don’t be offended, but do keep moving forward. Sometimes there are legitimate reasons why you haven’t heard anything. Most times, people are just poor at following up. Whatever the case, your responsibility is to keep searching and interviewing for the best job.
Take a day off. Yes, fearless job seeker, after searching for a job all week long, you deserve a day off. Hang out with your friends and family, enjoy the sunshine, go to the beach, go to the movies, go shopping and use that five percent Target coupon. You’ve earned it! Research shows that we do our best thinking when we’ve rested. Sometimes the waiting game is the best thing that can happen to you. It gives you time to really stop and think, is this the best job for me?
Don’t be discouraged. Keep researching companies, marketing yourself, and networking. A company’s slow recruiting process is not a reflection on your skills. Too often, we allow other voices to define our worth in the market place. You are worth more than you think. Reach out to people you trust who will be honest with you and will give you encouragement along the way. Listen to these voices and stay on track. You owe this to yourself.
How long have you been looking for a job? What do you find most frustrating about the job search? Leave a comment!
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