Any job search process is a tedious undertaking. You need to find roles you can see yourself in over the long-term, prepare and customise your applications, resume and cover letter, refine your interview skills and conduct your research on the employer. And this is even before you start your search and send out your first application!

Add an unpredictable job market to the mix, and it’s possible your search may drag on longer than you expect – so you have to learn how to manage your expectations too. There’s no hard-and-fast rule when it comes to hiring processes, so you need to be patient and not feel beaten down when you don’t get a response after a few days.

Attaining your ideal career can be stressful and everyone’s journey is different. So don’t compare yourself to peers who seem to be leaps and bounds ahead and let it demotivate you. Shake off that pressure by making your job hunt a positive and productive experience instead!

Strategise your job hunt

Some of the biggest hurdles to starting a job hunt is knowing what you want, where to start, how to get yourself organised and the most effective way to approach your search.

Figure out what type of job you want first – full-time, part-time, or freelance. That done, think about where you want to work. Do you want to follow your passion in a non-governmental organisation (NGO)? Or are you aiming to work in a more niche space offered by a small- to medium-sized enterprise (SME)? Build your portfolio and customise your applications from there!

Keep it realistic and keep tabs on yourself

Ambitious goals often see you losing sight of what you’re supposed to do, leading to a bad bout of demotivation. To counter this, make your goal bite-sized. How many resumes and cover letters do you think you should send out in a day? In a week? Give yourself achievable daily targets and small deadlines to feel more accomplished and driven throughout the process.

Simultaneously, do up a weekly job search plan and start a file documenting the companies and positions you’ve applied for. Creating and maintaining your plan and list will not only keep your job hunt organised, it will also drop some hints on which resumes and cover letters are working, and which ones may need a tweak or two.

Get your endorphins flowing

Doing the same thing week in and week out with little to no respite (and little results) can drive even the most patient person up the wall. So, leave your home a bit and get exercising! On top of getting you into shape, exercise releases endorphins in your body, which can trigger an overall positive feeling. It’ll also help you stretch after hours spent huddling in front of a screen, and relieve the pressure building up in your body and between your temples.

Tailor your exercise to your level of capability – if you can’t run (or just don’t want to), take a brisk walk through the park. If the very idea of rock climbing gives you chills, settle for an easy game of badminton with a friend. If you’re looking to rid yourself of some frustration, consider martial arts, such as Muay Thai or Taekwondo. You can even explore the different versions of yoga available to you – which, contrary to popular belief, isn’t just about stretching.

Do good deeds and volunteer

Stepping out every once in a while isn’t a waste of time, especially if it’s for a good cause. Consider volunteering at organisations that align with your interests. It’ll get you out of your house and away from the worries of your job hunt, and give you the opportunity to think about the big picture with a clearer mind.

Recruiters have also been known to keep an eye out for passionate candidates, so committing to a cause close to your heart can help you expand your talking points during job interviews. To make the experience count more, figure out how you can tie your volunteering stint with your intended area of work!

Go back to class

Even though you’ve graduated (congratulations!), that doesn’t mean that your learning journey is over. Take the opportunity to return to the “classroom” and pick up new skills that you can add to your skill set – such as learning different languages and coding. On the other hand, there’s absolutely no harm in taking up leisurely classes in art and craft, or even music.

These classes can serve as a good distraction from the stress and frustration of your job search process, and engaging your mind in an otherwise challenging time. They are also a good time to pick up skills you’ve always wanted to master – but never found the time to – before you’re bound to a job. Even if you’re cautious about your finances, these activities can typically be found for free online, so there’s no excuse!

Take breaks and switch off

Everything. All your electronic devices. Although this may be your toughest challenge yet and the struggle is real, take the time to recharge and ignore all those LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram updates about your peers and connections find a job and gearing up for their first day at work.

There’s also the added benefit of not seeing any negative feedback passed on through messages or emails that may put a damper on your spirits as you continue on your journey to finding a job that suits you.

It’s important to understand that the job search process takes time, and that many factors are out of your control. Being kind to yourself, staying busy and keeping active (and rewarding yourself!) with the tips above is a great way to keep your spirits up as you continue on your journey.