If you’ve arrived on this page, there’s a good chance that you are experiencing burnout at your current job, and you’re looking to move on to something new. If this is the case, you’re making the right move — for your mental health and the future of your career. It’s time to move onto something that will make you happy!
And you’re not alone. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, 89 percent of employees across industries said that their work life grew worse, according to a survey from the American of Physician Leadership. Even further, a similar survey from Catalyst says 93 percent of employees were experiencing some level of burnout at work.
It’s crucial to be in a workplace that is good for your mental health, and allows you to focus to properly do your job. Additionally, it’s important to be able to foster healthy relationships within your place of work. Fortunately, there are several things you can do for this upcoming job search that will give you a high chance of landing a job that won’t lead to burnout.
1) Understand what causes burnout. In order avoid burnout, we first need to identify what’s causing it. Lack of rest, lack of say-so in decision making, no purpose, or no sense of community are all of the biggest factors that lead to burnout. If you’re experiencing any of these issues, weigh the stress and frustration that they’re causing on your life. If it’s too much to handle, it’s time to find a career that will improve these issues.
2) Process the burnout. For the sake of your mental health, and for avoiding another burnout situation, you need to properly process your burnout tendencies. It would be best if you talked about them with a professional, like a therapist for example. You need to focus on what tendencies of yours may add to the burnout, and what your ideal workplace looks like. A therapist will be extremely helpful in assisting you with these issues.
3) Watch for the red flags in a job description. Oftentimes, the warning signs you need to look for are right there in the job description. It is said that companies that micromanage and spread their employees too thin are not very descriptive when they’re posting job listings. If you see that they combine several roles, that likely means there will be an overwhelming amount of work, and a boss that loves to watch over your shoulder.
When you see common keywords such as “fast-paced environment”, “hard-working,” or “team player,” follow up with the company on what these words mean to them. This can mean many different things to companies, so always make sure you’re getting as much information out of the company that you can, because it will help you make the decision that’s right for you.
4) Have someone in your corner that you can call. Let’s be real, during a job search we really do need a cheerleader in our corner. Think of one person in your life who knows you extremely well, and excels in exuding positive energy and never fails to lift you up. Leaning on a friend or family member for outside advice and positivity will keep you balanced and keeping your best interests in mind. Oftentimes after even just a 30-minute phone conversation with a loved one, you’ll have a lot of clarity on a situation, especially when it comes to work.
5) Ask targeted questions in the interview. In a job interview, it’s common for people to think that the interviewer asks all of the questions, but it’s also your time to ask anything you want as well. At the end of the day, this is going to be YOUR job. Therefore, you should ask questions that will help you determine if the company is the right fit for you. Keep in mind that the company is also trying to win you over to join their team. For example, you could ask, “What’s your policy on paid time off?” or “How do you all measure success?”
If you need assistance in your job search, our recruiting agency is here to help. We have years of experience in assisting hopeful employees put together a resume, practice interviewing skills, and help make informed decisions. Contact us today!
Cherie Richardson
President
Cherie is the owner and president of Carter Recruiting and Associates. She holds a BA in psychology from the University of Mississippi and has over 30 years of experience in the recruitment of executive and manufacturing professionals. Cherie’s work has been instrumental for new plant start-ups, as well as building and maintaining relationships throughout the region and state of Arkansas. She is a member of the National Association of Female Executives and the National Association of Women Business Owners.