The U.S. job market appears strong, with low unemployment and an increase of 272,000 jobs compared to the 165,000 jobs gained in April. However, many American job seekers still find it challenging to secure employment, especially for those who experience ghost job listings, prolonged interview processes, and competition for entry-level positions.
Brianna Doe, the marketing agency owner of Verbatim, dedicates her time to offering free coaching and mentorship to job seekers. She has one counterintuitive piece of advice for those on the job market: Step away from your computer.
Make Your Mental Health Non-Negotiable
While job seekers need a job and money to make ends meet, Doe suggests taking breaks during the job search process. These breaks may involve shutting down your computer at a consistent time each day, taking a walk, getting outside for fresh air, or engaging in activities that bring joy without spending much money to prioritize mental health.
Doe shared with CNBC Make It that spending extended periods sitting in front of your computer, filling out application after application, can take a toll on you and affect your interview performance.
This sentiment is backed up by scientific studies, where an editorial in BMJ published in 2022 revealed that excessive time spent being motionless, even among those who exercise regularly, increases cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and premature death risks. Additionally, a cohort study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders in January 2023 suggests that it also heightens the risk of mental health issues like depression.
Seek Mentorship and Networking for Guidance
In addition to prioritizing mental and emotional well-being, Doe advises individuals to be selective about the resources they utilize for assistance. One platform she frequently recommends is ADP List, a free networking platform that facilitates connections between mentors and mentees across various industries.
Seeking someone to guide you when you are just beginning a career can help smooth out the path that could have been rougher if you were alone. A mentor serves as a lighthouse, guiding your career journey through the endless sea of preparation. They are someone who has navigated the path before and understands the directions and challenges along the way, making them capable of helping you overcome them the way they did.
How Can Mentors Help in Interview Preparations?
According to Preplaced, while preparing for an interview is just as challenging as attending one, mentors can assist mentees in interview preparation by establishing career goals, identifying strengths, conducting mock interviews, providing guidance on setting timelines and schedules for interview preparation, and more.
For instance, a mentoring initiative could assist a candidate in developing tools such as an interview guide or a structured preparation timetable, which encompasses guidance on locating suitable companies and roles, ensuring alignment with professional standards, discovering appropriate resources for interview readiness, honing skills, and establishing a schedule for interview preparation.
