A very noisy search.

The three words that can strike fear into the hearts of just about every living, breathing professional:

The job search.

*cue shudder*

I know, I know. Enough with the drama.

But the thing is... when in a position of urgently seeking out a new role, we're enough in our own heads as it is when the inevitable happens. Enter: the Noise. When we're already going over and over every word we say on paper and every phrase we utter in an interview, in rushes the tidal wave of opinions from everyone we've ever known in person and across the internet on what we should and should not do to get hired. It's enough to make our already cluttered heads spin!

Does this sound familiar?

Use their keywords and phrasing, but don’t copy and paste.

Give examples and quantify, but don’t have too many words or bullets.

A 2 page resume is okay, it’s acceptable at this stage of your career… but 1 is probably better.

Have a lot of white space, but going onto 2 pages is too long…

… actually, a 2 page resume is okay. You know what, no, it should be 1 page for under 10 years of experience. Well, unless you’ve had too many jobs. Then make it 2.

Make it ATS compliant, but using a designed template will make you stand out more.

No one will read your cover letter, but write one anyway.

No one will read your cover letter x2, but write a customized version or they’ll be able to tell.

Boost your online presence, but make sure you actually have something to say.

I do have something to say: I AM EXHAUSTED.

Exhausted not even from the effort of applying, which to me is a worthy exhaustion. I’m exhausted from just the swirl in the lead up TO said applying. Huh?!

I would like to believe my work speaks for itself, and that my experience and perspective will provide value to my next employer. I’d rather do less well than try to be everywhere for everyone only halfway.

When I start to feel overwhelmed, I remind myself that job hunting under normal circumstances is hard. But job hunting in the time of COVID-19 is something else entirely. Be kind to yourself. And I say that to be as much of a reminder to myself as it is to you.

What mantras are helping you get through right now?