Avoiding Job Search Burnout
April 1, 2022
Avoiding burnout is important. Burnout is when you feel exhausted, cynical, or unfulfilled by your job. It’s common among those who don’t have any control over their work or who have conflicting expectations placed upon them. But it’s also possible to burn out when you’re looking for a job especially if you’ve been at it for a while without any luck.
Your job search is your full-time job, but it can be tough to give it the time and energy it needs. That’s because you may have a lot of other things going on in your life, like supporting a family or caring for a loved one. All of these responsibilities can make you feel burned out and stressed.
If you’ve been applying for jobs for a while with no luck, it’s easy to burn out. Here’s how to avoid job search burnout and keep your motivation up.


The longer your job search goes on, the harder it is to maintain your motivation, even though there’s evidence that the longer you’re looking, the more likely you are to find a job.
While you can’t control everything about the job market or the hiring process for each particular position you apply for, there are some things you can do to keep yourself moving forward as you look for a job.
Know that it’s normal
First off, it’s important to recognize that this is a normal part of the job search process. If you’ve been applying for jobs and getting interviews but no callbacks or offers, it’s easy to start feeling like there must be something wrong with you.
This can lead to self-doubt and lack of confidence, which then make the job search more difficult. It’s also possible that you’ve had some interviews but found out that people with more experience than you were hired instead again leading to feelings of not being good enough.
It is important to recognize that finding a job is not about accepting an offer for a perfect position at the ideal company, but instead making the best decision for yourself and your career.
It’s important to take care of yourself throughout the process.
Here are some tips for avoiding job search burnout:
Support Network to Overcome Burnout
Build a support network of friends and family who believe in you and will help keep you motivated.
Take time off to recharge when needed. This can include taking a weekend off from applying or stepping away from social media while you’re on vacation.
Stay active to Avoid Job Search Burnout
Whether you’re searching for a job or not, exercise is an important part of taking care of your body and mind. It relieves stress, improves sleep, and boosts your mood. Plus, having a regular workout routine will help you stay motivated during your search.


Set boundaries
It may be tempting to spend all day every day looking for a job, but that could lead to burnout. Make sure you set aside time for friends, family, and hobbies even if it’s just a little bit each day. These activities will help you stay positive during your search.
Be flexible
The perfect job may not exist at least not right away. Try to keep an open mind about what you’re looking for so that you can consider all opportunities that come your way. This will also help you avoid unnecessary stress.
Don’t let it get to that point.
Take breaks from the search, be it a day, a week, or whatever time you need to recharge and be ready to resume the hunt again.
Sometimes job searches can go on far longer than you might expect, but how long they last have more to do with the time and circumstance than anything else.


Keep updating your online presence, refine your resume and portfolio as needed, try new things like networking with new groups or volunteering and other ways of making yourself into a more attractive candidate. You’ll be hired in the job thats right for you before you ever reach burnout.
I’m Twanna Carter, Ph.D., and I help high achieving professional women who are anxious about transitioning into a new career, have absolute confidence and belief in their own abilities, so they can communicate their unique value, honor their true purpose, and boldly pursue their dream career.
In less than an hour, you can join the thousands of other women who have gone from being stuck in a career they hate to feeling fulfilled by a job that aligns with who they were meant to be.
Schedule your free 30-minute Career Solution Call here.


Recommended Books
- Melaninated Magic: 180 Affirmations to Nurture Your Soul and Unleash Your Black Girl Joy by Twanna Carter, PhD
- “I’m Not Yelling: A Black Woman’s Guide to Navigating the Workplace (Successful Black Business Women)“, Elizabeth Leiba.
- “Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High” by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler.
- “Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion” by Robert B. Cialdini.
- “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie.
- “Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead” by Sheryl Sandberg.
- “Dare to Lead” by Brene Brown.
- “The Memo“, by Minda Harts.
- “Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones“, by James Clear
- “Worthy: How to Believe You Are Enough and Transform Your Life“, by Jamie Kern Lima
Read my latest blogs…
- They Are Managing You Out. Here’s How to Push Back and WinImagine this: You’ve been a top performer, consistently delivering results, and yet, suddenly, things at work feel off. Your boss becomes distant, opportunities for advancement vanish, and your once-important contributions seem to be overlooked. Subtle changes in tone, a lack… Read more: They Are Managing You Out. Here’s How to Push Back and Win
- 10 Hidden Barriers Undermining Senior Executive Women (And How to Overcome Them)Let’s face it, being a senior executive woman is no walk in the park. Sure, there’s the prestige, the corner office (or at least a very nice Zoom background), and the hefty paycheck. But lurking behind the corporate glam are… Read more: 10 Hidden Barriers Undermining Senior Executive Women (And How to Overcome Them)
- How to Recover From Toxic Workplaces as a High-Achieving Black WomanHave you ever left a workplace feeling like you’d just survived an episode of a workplace reality TV show, complete with drama, gaslighting, and the occasional narcissistic coworker? If you’re a high-achieving Black woman, you know how toxic workplaces hit… Read more: How to Recover From Toxic Workplaces as a High-Achieving Black Woman
- Forced Out of a Job? Recognizing the Signs and Reclaiming Your CareerEver felt like the walls were closing in at work, even though you were doing everything right? Maybe you’ve been sidelined, excluded, or made to feel like you don’t belong. Being forced out of a job isn’t always as dramatic… Read more: Forced Out of a Job? Recognizing the Signs and Reclaiming Your Career
- The Silent Struggle – Recognizing the Signs of Burnout in WomenThe Silent Struggle Burnout is more than just feeling tired or overwhelmed. It’s a sneaky, slow-burning state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion that can creep up on anyone, especially women juggling multiple roles at home, work, and beyond. For… Read more: The Silent Struggle – Recognizing the Signs of Burnout in Women
- The Quiet Firing: Spotting the Signs and Reclaiming Your Career Ever felt like you’re being slowly pushed or managed out of a job without being explicitly told? You’re not alone. The modern workplace has given rise to a subtle, yet damaging trend called “quiet firing.” Unlike the dramatic scenes of… Read more: The Quiet Firing: Spotting the Signs and Reclaiming Your Career
- The Truth About Executive Coaches: Are They Worth the Money?In today’s fast-paced, high-pressure work environment, being an executive often feels like walking a tightrope. You’re expected to lead with confidence, navigate complex challenges, and deliver results. All while maintaining your personal well-being. For many executives, the stakes are high,… Read more: The Truth About Executive Coaches: Are They Worth the Money?
- The Silent Career Killer: How Imposter Syndrome Shows Up in LeadershipEven the Most Successful Executives Secretly Struggle with This… Have You Ever Felt Like You Don’t Deserve Your Success? You walk into the boardroom, prepared and confident. At least, that’s how you appear on the outside. Inside, however, a small… Read more: The Silent Career Killer: How Imposter Syndrome Shows Up in Leadership
- Unlock Your True Leadership Potential: The Secret to Thriving in High-Stakes RolesDid you know that 42% of women leaders report burnout, struggling to balance high-pressure careers with personal fulfillment? For Black women in leadership, the challenges are even greater—navigating workplace microaggressions, imposter syndrome, and the pressure to prove themselves in male-dominated… Read more: Unlock Your True Leadership Potential: The Secret to Thriving in High-Stakes Roles
- The Invisible Leader: Why High-Achievers Often Go UnnoticedHave You Ever Felt Invisible at Work? Like an Invisible Leader? You’re the one everyone relies on. You lead teams, solve problems, and drive results. So why does it feel like no one notices? Maybe you’ve been passed over for… Read more: The Invisible Leader: Why High-Achievers Often Go Unnoticed
- How to Know It’s Time to Leave a Job: 5 Clear Signs Deciding whether it’s time to leave a job can feel like standing at a crossroads, unsure which path will lead to growth, fulfillment, and success. It’s not an easy decision, especially when you’ve invested time, energy, and passion into your… Read more: How to Know It’s Time to Leave a Job: 5 Clear Signs
- Leverage Your Transferable Skills for a Career Transition – Learn How to Pivot Without Starting Over Considering a career transition but worried about starting from scratch? The truth is, you don’t have to! Your transferable skills—those versatile abilities you’ve developed across roles—are your secret weapon for pivoting seamlessly into a new career. Whether you’re seeking greater… Read more: Leverage Your Transferable Skills for a Career Transition – Learn How to Pivot Without Starting Over
+ show Comments
- Hide Comments
add a comment