Do you prefer applying for jobs from home, a café or the local library? Besides avoiding the daily commute, working from home also has its downsides. A confined atmosphere, a face-to-face with your fridge or your mum constantly nagging you to find a job… none of that bodes well. Here are a few tips to help you stay organised when applying from home, and above all, to avoid slipping into depression!
1 - Create a workspace
If you are lucky enough to have a proper desk in a separate room, try to make it as professional as possible with office supplies: a notebook, diary, calendar, vision board, post-its, markers and anything that helps create a studious atmosphere.
If you do not have a desk, choose a table in a bright, comfortable room where you can work for several hours a day. Once your working day is over, remember to put all your equipment away so you are not tempted to work all the time.
2 - Establish a routine
To be more productive, set yourself a timetable that includes snack breaks, lunch, interviews and personal time. Tell yourself that when the day is over, it really is over! One of the risks when job hunting is putting too much pressure on yourself and working at completely unreasonable hours, without taking proper breaks.
To avoid feeling scattered and to keep moving forward, we recommend setting yourself a to-do list with three tasks to complete. Each time you finish a task, simply cross it off. If you like, you can even keep all your tasks on a wall of post-its to remind yourself that yes, you really are making progress!
3 - If staying at home becomes overwhelming…
If you have been applying for a long time, staying at home can hurt your morale. Try going to a calm and cosy place where you feel comfortable and that has a good internet connection, such as a café or a library. This will help you change your habits and break your routine.
If you choose to work in a library, we recommend sitting near the exit, just in case an HR manager calls you!
You can also suggest meeting up once a week with a friend who is also looking for a job or needs to do some personal work. Make sure you still spend time together outside of work, so the relationship does not become purely professional.
Lacking motivation? Go out to do some shopping, get some fresh air or even go for a swim. You will feel far more inclined to tackle your to-do list when you get back!
You can also call friends to catch up and let off steam (but not too much!) to get some support. On the other hand, if you are too tempted by Instagram or Facebook notifications, switch your phone off and set yourself a time to turn it back on.
4 - Make time for yourself
This time for yourself is essential because it allows you to gain perspective and think about things outside your job applications.
Plan activities you would normally do if you were in a job: call a friend, go out, do some sport… Job hunting is not a punitive retreat! If you have worked hard all week, treat yourself at the weekend. It can be harder to get back into things if you work non-stop, so take a proper break. For example, visit your parents to start the following Monday refreshed.
You can also take part in additional activities that are still linked to your job search by for example attending professional events such as recruitment fairs, networking evenings or conferences where you can meet professionals. You can also reconnect with people in your network to let them know you are looking for a job or to ask for advice.
To sum up: create a workspace, establish a routine, make time for yourself, but also for networking and keeping up to date with the job market. If motivation is lacking, take breaks to clear your head. Applying for jobs can sometimes take months, but if you are patient and persistent, it will almost certainly be worth it in the end!
And finally, to apply from home, you still need to find great opportunities! One last tip… Visit our website! 😉
