The application burnout is real

Endlessly scrolling through job sites, sending countless emails, or almost obsessively refreshing your LinkedIn notifications. Searching for a new job is a time-consuming task that can take quite a bit of energy. When it also results in a series of rejections, your morale drops even further. Try to motivate yourself again after that. Job application burnout is real, and it makes your search even heavier than it already was. Fortunately, there are various tips to re-enter the job battle with new motivation.

Where does job application burnout come from?

Anyone looking for a new job in 2025 should prepare for a tough battle. The job market is quite unpredictable, making the search for that perfect vacancy anything but easy. Sending as many applications as possible in the hope that at least one leads to an interview seems to be the tactic now, and that takes time. If we are to believe career websites, you can actually see job searching as a full-time job. Those who want to do it ‘well’ spend about 30 to 40 hours on it. Meanwhile, your household, social life, and current job also demand attention. attention Keeping all this running takes quite a toll on you; and then it is also expected that you just get over the disappointment of a rejection. You can keep this up for a while, but your energy will eventually run out. To maintain your job search and increase your chances, a different approach is needed.

Prepare your job applications well

You probably only feel truly productive once you've sent your first email, but it's better not to rush into things. To really have a chance at that next step, your application needs to be in tip-top shape. Therefore, it's wise to take the time to update your CV and cover letter, for example. Perhaps not all your work experience is listed, or you've recently learned a new skill that can help you stand out further. Your letter also works best if you tailor it a bit to the company you're applying to. This signals that you are motivated and genuinely want to go for this specific position. Simply responding to a random vacancy won't make you happy in the future either. A job should fit your personal ambitions, lifestyle, and what energizes you. Thinking this through helps you to search more purposefully afterward. Thorough preparation is key and ensures that your chances will be much greater afterward.

Create a job application plan

You may have the tendency to disappear behind your laptop for hours, hoping to find something as quickly as possible. But that's usually not how it works. Full-time job searching alongside your other commitments is simply not always possible, but fortunately, it's not necessary either. For example, set yourself the goal of being fully focused for two hours every day. During that time, you can scan job vacancies and respond or network. After that, let go of those applications and focus on other things that give you energy. By also spending time on your social life and hobbies, you prevent yourself from getting stuck in that negative spiral of rejections and ultimately ending up in job application burnout.

Don't forget your network

Searching for a job can feel quite lonely. Meanwhile, this is precisely when you need the people in your network more than ever. On average, 80 percent of job vacancies are filled through networking. A large part of these is not even publicly available but is spread through smaller circles. You just need to run into someone who can help you move towards new opportunities. Send a message to an old colleague or that one teacher you had a good relationship with. Who knows where those conversations might lead you, and a cup of coffee is never a punishment. coffee Choose your conversations wisely. If someone works in a sector that doesn't interest you at all, they probably won't be able to help you much. Keep yourself open. Sometimes the best opportunities come completely unexpectedly, and a little push is exactly what you might be missing.

Set interim goals

During the job application process, you can lose track of things a bit. Which leads have you already sent out, and do you need to follow up on anything? Is your strategy working, or do you need to adjust your plan a bit? Setting interim goals can help you regain perspective. Perhaps you want to take stock every Monday and create a new plan for the week. You can also set the goal of sending at least three new emails each week. Try to remain flexible. You are, of course, also dependent on the responses from others, which you cannot plan yourself. With an occasional dot on the horizon, you stay focused and get closer to that new job; and that without a job application burnout.

Source: Forbes