How to job hunt when you’re feeling burnt out

stressed woman in front of her laptop

When you’re feeling burnt out, it’s tough to think straight.

You might feel like you can’t do anything right and giving up seems like the only option. But it’s important to remember that this is just a phase. You will get through it.

Read on for tips on how to job hunt when you’re feeling at your worst.

Define your goals

Take some time to define your goals. What do you want from your next job? What are your priorities? Are you looking for something that’s going to challenge you or are you looking for a job that’s going to be more relaxing? Once you have a better idea of what you’re looking for, it will be easier to start targeting.

Simplify your search

When you’re feeling burnt out, the last thing you want to do is spend hours scanning through job listings and writing cover letters. So how can you simplify your job search?

One way is to focus on jobs that are a good fit for your skills and interests. Don’t waste your time applying for jobs that are a poor match—you’re only going to get frustrated and feel burnt out even more.

Another way to simplify your search is to target companies that you want to work for. Do some research online and see if they have any openings. If they don’t, send them an email anyway and introduce yourself. You never know, they might be in the market for new talents.

Consider a different path
adult classes

Image Credits: juniorchamps.my

The industry you’ve been working in for the past few years has lost its luster, and you’re not sure what to do next. Well, maybe it’s time to consider a different path.

There are plenty of other jobs out there that may be a better fit for you. Maybe you want to try something new and explore your creative side. Or maybe you want to go back to school and get your certification in a field that you’re passionate about.

Whatever it is, we urge you to go after what you want. And don’t hesitate to take some time to figure out what that is. The job market is competitive, but don’t let that discourage you. You have the power to create the life you want—and the job you want—if you’re willing to put in the work.

Don’t be afraid to take a break

It can be challenging to keep going when you’re feeling burnt out. You don’t want to spend the little energy you have on job hunting, but you also don’t want to stay stuck in your current status.

So what can you do? Take a short break. It’s not the advice most people want to hear, but it’s crucial to give yourself some time to recharge. Maybe take a few days off, or even a week if you can manage it. During that time, focus on getting your mental and physical energy back.

And when you’re ready, start job hunting again. This time, be more selective about the jobs you apply for and the companies you interview with. Make sure the position and the company are a good fit for you—you don’t want to end up in the same situation as before.

The best thing you can do when you’re feeling burnt out is to take some time for yourself. Get some support from your friends and family, and take care of yourself in whatever way you need to. Maybe that means taking a break from job hunting and focusing on something else for a while. Or maybe it means taking the full weekend off to recharge your batteries. Whatever it looks like for you, make sure to give yourself the time and space you need to heal. You will be in a much better position to start job hunting again when you’re feeling more rested and relaxed.

Read More...

The benefits of taking career breaks and how to explain them in an interview

in an interview

You’re interviewing for a job that you want and you know that your career gap will come up in the conversation.

You’re not sure how to explain it and you’re worried it will hurt your chances of getting the job. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. A lot of people have taken career breaks for one reason or another, and many of them are successful professionals. The key is to be prepared and know how to spin your career break in a positive light.

In this article, we will discuss the benefits of taking career breaks and how to explain them in an interview. Let’s roll!

What is a career break?

A career break is a time when you took a breather from your career, for whatever reason. It could be a substantially longer period when you traveled, volunteered, or just took some time to relax and refresh.

The benefits of taking career breaks

There are a lot of benefits to taking career breaks. For starters, it gives you a chance to recharge and explore other interests. Career breaks can also be a great opportunity to network and build your professional contacts. By staying connected and keeping your skills sharp, you will be in a better position to re-enter the workforce when you’re ready.

And finally, don’t forget that your time away from work can be seen as a strength rather than a weakness. Employers respect dedication and commitment, but they also understand that everyone needs a break sometimes. So don’t be afraid to talk about your career breaks during an interview—in fact, it could be the thing that sets you apart from the other candidates.

How to frame your career break on your application
sample resume

Image Credits: thebalancecareers.com

Your resume is your first opportunity to make a great impression on a potential employer, and it’s also your chance to explain why you took a break from your career. Here are a few tips for framing your career break in the best possible light:

  • Keep your resume concise and focus on the most relevant information.
  • Be clear about the reason for your break and how you’ve been preparing for a return to the workforce.
  • Emphasize the skills and experiences you gained during your time away from work in your cover letter.

Remember, you want to put your best foot forward, so make sure you take the time to polish up your resume and practice answering common interview questions. By framing your career break in a favorable light, you will be able to show potential employers that you’re ready to take on the challenge of returning to work.

How to talk about your career break in an interview

First of all, be honest. Don’t try to sugarcoat it or make up some story about why you had to take a break. If you’re asked why you were out of the workforce for a while, just tell the interviewer the truth—you took some time off to travel, care for a family member, or do something else.

Next, talk about the skills you developed during your time off. Maybe you learned how to cook, build something from scratch, or speak a foreign language. No matter what it is, be sure to mention it. This shows the interviewer that you weren’t just sitting on the couch watching Netflix for a full year—you were doing something constructive.

Finally, stress the fact that you’re ready to jump back into your career. You might have taken a break, but that doesn’t mean you’ve stopped learning or growing. You’ve still got all the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in today’s workforce, and you’re excited to use them to scale the company to greater heights.

As we come to a close, be comforted knowing that you’re not the only person with career breaks. If you’re applying for a job and feel like your breaks are a liability, don’t worry. There are ways to spin them in your favor as we’ve mentioned earlier. Pen down the benefits they’ve brought you and don’t forget to practice discussing them before your scheduled interview. Best of luck to you!

Read More...

Warning signs that your child is addicted to games and what to do about it

a child playing video games

So your child is glued to their phone or game console and it’s been taking up more and more of their time.

You’re starting to worry that they might be addicted. What can you do to help them? The first step is to understand the warning signs that your child might be addicted to gaming. Once you know what to look for, you can start taking steps to address the issue.

In this post, we will outline the warning signs of game addiction and offer some tips on how to help your child. Let’s get started!

How to tell if your child is addicted

Your child might be addicted to games if they’re:

  • Becoming irritable or agitated when they’re not allowed to play games
  • Thinking about games all the time, to the point where it’s interfering with their daily life
  • Playing games for hours on end, to the extent where they’re missing out on essential aspects of their life, like school work or social activities
The effects of game addiction on children

If your child is addicted to games, it’s necessary to address the issue as soon as possible. This is because the effects of game addiction can be devastating, and they can cause problems in all aspects of a child’s life.

Here are some of the most common side effects of game addiction:

  • Poor grades
  • Anger issues or aggression
  • Depression or suicidal thoughts
  • Eating disorders or weight problems
  • Withdrawing from friends and family
  • Neglecting hygiene or personal appearance
How to address your child’s game addiction
parents looking from behind as their kids play video games

Image Credits: techprevue.com

If you’re worried that your child might be addicted to games, there are some steps you can take to address the issue.

First, try to understand why your child is drawn to playing games. Is it because they’re struggling with social issues or feeling isolated? Are they using games as a way to escape from reality? Once you have a better understanding of the root cause, you can start to look for solutions.

If your child’s game addiction is causing them to neglect their responsibilities, then you may need to set some limits. Perhaps they can only play games for a certain amount of time each day or they have to earn game time by completing tasks.

The most important thing is to stay calm and be supportive. Addiction is a difficult issue to deal with, and your child will likely feel ashamed and embarrassed when confronted. So be patient and understanding, and let them know that you’re there for them no matter what.

The importance of setting limits and finding a healthy balance in games

Now, we’re not saying that games are bad—in fact, there’s nothing wrong with a healthy dose of gaming every now and then. But when it starts to take over your child’s life, it’s time to start setting some limits. The key is to find a balance that works for both of you.

Some parents choose to ban gaming from their child’s life completely, but this can be counterproductive. Often, it just encourages kids to sneak around and game anyway. Rather, you could try setting a specific amount of time that your child is allowed to play each day. This way, they still get some gaming time, but it’s limited and doesn’t take up the majority of their day.

It can be hard to tell when your child is addicted to games, but there are some signs you can look out for as we’ve mentioned earlier. You can do a few things if you think your child is addicted to games. But the first step is to talk to them about your concerns and set some ground rules for gaming. You may also want to consider limiting the amount of time they can spend gaming each day or week. If the problem persists, it’s best to speak to a child counselor.

Read More...

Feeling inferior at work? Here’s what you can do

inferiority complex

It’s easy to feel inferior when you’re constantly in cutthroat competition, aren’t getting the recognition you deserve, or feel like you’re not good enough.

The good news is that there are plenty of things you can do to start feeling better about yourself and your work. In this article, we will discuss a few methods for stopping those negative thoughts and defeating your inferiority complex.

Understand that feeling inferior sometimes is normal

You’re not alone if you sometimes feel inferior at work. It’s natural to feel this way when you’re constantly being compared to your colleagues. But the key is to understand that feeling inferior is normal—it doesn’t mean that you don’t deserve to be where you are. What’s noteworthy is what you do with those feelings. You can either let them drag you down, or you can use them to motivate you to work harder and be better.

Create a list of your accomplishments

Write down everything you’ve achieved over your career—big or small, it doesn’t matter. The goal is to remind yourself of all the great things you’ve done. It can be helpful to read through your list every other morning or evening, or whenever you start to feel down about yourself. Just seeing your accomplishments in black and white can help give you the boost of confidence you need to continue succeeding at work.

Don’t compare yourself to others
colleagues looking at a laptop

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Comparing yourself to others is a trap that will only make you feel worse. When you’re constantly comparing yourself to others, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. You’re never going to be as good as they are, and you will always feel like you’re coming up short.

So, don’t do it. Instead, focus on being the best version of yourself. Work on your strengths and weaknesses, and don’t worry about what everyone else is doing. Comparison is the thief of joy, and it will only make you unhappy and dissatisfied in the long run.

Focus on your strengths

You’ve probably been there before. You walk into a meeting and feel like everyone in the room is more experienced and knowledgeable than you are. You sit down at your desk and feel like you can’t do anything right.

It’s natural to feel inferior at work from time to time, but it’s vital to remember that these feelings are usually based on our self-doubt and insecurity. The key to overcoming them is to focus on your strengths and remind yourself that you’re capable and talented to land yourself your current position.

Find a mentor
colleagues talking while walking

Image Credits: transfersmagazine.org

When you feel like you’re not good enough, it can be tough to stay motivated and focused at work. You may start to question your abilities and feel like you’re not up to the task.

But don’t give up. There are things you can do to help boost your confidence and stop feeling inferior. One of the best ways is to find a mentor, someone who can help guide you and give you advice when you need it.

Mentors don’t have to be someone at work—they can be a friend, family member, or even a business contact from another company. The crucial thing is that you have someone who you can rely on for support, someone who will make you feel accountable and push you to be better.

Nobody is perfect, and everybody feels inferior from time to time. Aim not to dwell on your feelings, but to take action and do something about them. If you’re feeling inferior because of someone else’s accomplishments, try to be inspired by them instead of feeling intimidated. Remember that nobody was born perfect, and everybody has to start from somewhere. Never let your feelings of inferiority hold you back from achieving your objectives. Stay positive, focus on your strengths, and take steps to overcome your feelings of insecurity.

Read More...

Advantages of keeping the lines of communication open with your child’s school teachers

parent-teacher conference

As a first-time parent, it can be difficult to know if you should remain in constant contact with your child’s school teachers.

On one hand, you want to make sure they have everything they need and that your child is adjusting well. But on the other hand, you don’t want to be a nagging helicopter parent.

If that is you, read on for reasons why you should remain in consistent communication with your child’s school teachers.

Building a relationship of trust

By remaining in consistent communication with your child’s school teachers, you’re building a relationship of trust. When you have a good connection with your child’s teachers, they’re more likely to keep you in the loop when it comes to your child’s progress in school. They will also be less hesitant to reach out to you if they ever need assistance or have any queries to clear.

Receiving feedback about your child

Secondly, you should remain in touch with your child’s teachers because it allows them to give you feedback about your child. It’s necessary to get an idea of how your child is performing in school and to be aware of any issues that may be going on. Plus, it’s always good to have a positive relationship with the people who are helping to shape your child’s future. So stay in touch with your child’s teachers, and be sure to ask detailed questions during official meet-the-parent sessions—we think they will be more than happy to answer them.

Getting updates about school events
a parent conversing with her children's teacher

Image Credits: ssis.asia

Thirdly, it’s always wise to stay in communication with your child’s school teachers because you can get updates about school events, and what your child is exposed to, and get firsthand information on any non-academic related classes for maximum exposure.

If you’re not sure how to get in touch with your child’s teacher, most schools have a website that you can visit. You can also find the general office’s email address on the website. If not, phone the office and request to be connected. It’s crucial to stay in touch so that you can be a part of your child’s education and help them succeed both academically and in character.

Gives you the chance to address concerns

Lastly, imagine if you were to keep the lines of communication open with your child’s school teachers. Not only will it make them feel appreciated, but it also allows you to address any concerns early on. This is extremely noteworthy, especially if your child is facing any challenges in school.

By remaining in communication with their teachers, you will be able to get a better sense of what’s going on at school and how your child is performing. You will also be able to get help and advice from the teachers themselves, who will more than likely be glad to help out.

As a first-time parent, you may feel unsure of whether you should be speaking regularly to your child’s school teachers. However, there are several benefits to remaining in consistent communication with them. Some of these benefits include being able to get an early alert if your child is struggling in school, developing a better relationship with your child, and gaining an all-around understanding of your child’s academic progress. So what are you waiting for? Get connected today!

Read More...