Psychology of the Job Search: Mentality Matters

The job search: two parts exciting, one part super overwhelming. It can pull out some uncomfortable sides of us: stress, procrastination, paralyzing professionalism, insecurity. As a psychology major and a career consultant, I’ve noticed that there is a clear distinction between a“Job Search” and a “Career Move” mentality. So let’s talk about why the job search makes us so uncomfortable.

When we go into the process with a “Job Search Mentality” we are looking for a means to an end. Typically, we are unhappy, undercompensated, unemployed, and sometimes desperate. Aside from our normal stress load, any added inconveniences can send us spiralling in true “mole hills turned into mountains” fashion. That stress triggers our sympathetic nervous system, sending us into the Fight-Flight-Freeze mode, leaving us irritable, panicked, or paralyzed. If we stay in this stress response mode for too long we feel the effects in disrupted sleep patterns, change in appetite, immune system degradation, etc. As you can imagine, this has an effect on our work lives and – you guessed it! – ability to make decisions.

Here are some symptoms of suffering from the “Job Search Mentality”:

• Feeling desperate or overwhelmed
• Making rash decisions, or thinking of so many “what if” scenarios that you can’t bring yourself to make a decision
• Over-researching everything
• Prioritizing income over livelihood (or thinking that they are the same thing)
• Taking any advice you hear, even if it’s from your marine biologist sister who  lives across the country while you are pursuing a career in architecture (I don’t have to explain why you shouldn’t take that advice, right?)

Often times we find ourselves separating the “real me” from the “work me” when we’re job searching, and even when starting the new job. “Real me” is fun and a little spunky! “Work me” is dependable and always on time.

Why can’t you have both?

That’s where “Career Move Mentality” comes in! A career move differs from a job search in the fact that it is strategically planned and executed with a holistic approach in mind. When you think in terms of a career move, you are aligning your professional goals with who you are as a person (and that’s exciting!). Compensation and location may take on a new meaning when paired with childcare support, company culture, project typology, your favorite beer somehow always being stocked in the fridge, and that guy who loves all of the same movies you do. When you take the time to think of what is important to you as a person (the “real you”), you will find those values reflected in your new workplace (for “work you” to enjoy).

And this isn’t to say that all career moves just spontaneously happen with no catalyst. Job searches and career moves often times start the same way: You’re unhappy, you got laid off, you’re bored, etc. But how you choose to think about and pursue your next steps depends on your mindset.

Takeaways:

• Be mindful of the psychological difference between being in a “Job Search Mentality” and a “Career Move Mentality”, because there really is a difference.
• Seek out all of your resources – Use your LinkedIn network! Everyone has a friend of a friend who knows a guy. Make them introduce you to that guy!
• It is okay to slow down, take a breath, and look around at all you have going on around you and coming up. Realize that time is your friend! The better you understand yourself and what you want a year, three years, even five years from now will help you make better, more informed, and longer lasting decisions.

Finding your next work home can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t need to be. Should you ever feel those Job Search scaries come creeping back up, always know that you have your friendly neighborhood career counselors to back you up.