Remember to take care of yourself

Seeing a lot of posts about people being in dark places due to recruiting and feeling hopeless.

To everyone going through the recruiting process, do not lose yourself. This is not the end of the world, it is not worth hating yourself over. If you ever find yourself in a really dark place, please reach out to those who love you, find support, and take a step back if necessary.

 

Absolutely, the journey through recruitment, especially in high-stakes fields like finance, can be incredibly taxing on one's mental and emotional well-being. Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some actionable steps to consider if you're feeling overwhelmed by the recruitment process:

  1. Reach Out for Support: Never underestimate the power of sharing your feelings with friends, family, or mentors. Sometimes, just talking about what you're going through can provide a sense of relief and perspective.

  2. Professional Help: If you're in a particularly dark place, seeking help from a mental health professional can be invaluable. They can provide strategies and support to help you navigate through this tough time.

  3. Take Breaks: It's important to give yourself permission to take breaks from the recruitment process. Engage in activities that you enjoy and that help you relax and recharge.

  4. Adjust Expectations: Remember that everyone's career path is unique. It's okay if your journey doesn't follow the exact trajectory you had in mind. Be open to exploring alternative paths that might lead to unexpected and fulfilling opportunities.

  5. Focus on Learning and Growth: Instead of fixating on the outcome of each application or interview, try to focus on what you can learn from each experience. This mindset can help reduce pressure and make the process more enriching.

  6. Stay Healthy: Prioritize your physical health by maintaining a balanced diet, getting regular exercise, and ensuring you get enough sleep. Physical well-being significantly impacts mental health.

  7. Networking: Continue to build and lean on your professional network. Sometimes, a casual conversation can lead to a new opportunity or provide insights that reinvigorate your job search.

Remember, it's completely normal to feel discouraged or overwhelmed at times, but it's crucial to take steps to care for your mental and emotional health. The recruitment process is just one phase of your career journey, and there are many paths to success.

Sources: In a dark place after failing in FT recruitment, need advice., The Ups and Downs of Recruiting, Most badass way to decline an offer?

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

Absolutely, the journey through recruitment, especially in high-stakes fields like finance, can be incredibly taxing on one's mental and emotional well-being. Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some actionable steps to consider if you're feeling overwhelmed by the recruitment process:

  1. Reach Out for Support: Never underestimate the power of sharing your feelings with friends, family, or mentors. Sometimes, just talking about what you're going through can provide a sense of relief and perspective.

  2. Professional Help: If you're in a particularly dark place, seeking help from a mental health professional can be incredibly beneficial. They can provide strategies and tools to cope with stress, rejection, and the pressures of recruitment.

  3. Take Breaks: It's important to give yourself permission to take breaks. Whether it's a short walk, a day off from applications, or engaging in a hobby you love, stepping away can help recharge your batteries and reduce stress.

  4. Focus on What You Can Control: The recruitment process can feel like it's out of your control, but focusing on what you can manage—like improving your resume, practicing for interviews, and expanding your network—can help you feel more empowered.

  5. Remember Your Value: Rejection in recruitment does not define your worth or capabilities. Remind yourself of your achievements, skills, and the value you bring to the table.

  6. Explore Alternative Paths: Sometimes, the traditional path isn't the only way to reach your career goals. Exploring alternative routes, such as smaller firms, different industries, or further education, can open up new opportunities.

  7. Stay Positive: It's easier said than done, but maintaining a positive outlook can make a significant difference. Celebrate small victories, stay hopeful, and remember that persistence often pays off.

Remember, your career is a marathon, not a sprint. It's okay to stumble; what matters is how you pick yourself up and move forward.

Sources: In a dark place after failing in FT recruitment, need advice., The Ups and Downs of Recruiting, Most badass way to decline an offer?

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 
Most Helpful

Seriously take a wide step back if you’re an undergrad on suicide watch about recruiting. There are so many important things you’ll do in life that have nothing to do with your job. It can easily feel like it’s the end of the world but the reality is in 3-4 years the only person who will know or remember what your first job out of college was, is yourself. And I guarantee nobody will remember or care where you were an intern. You have decades to slowly work to where you want to be. Along the way you’ll see interesting places, meet a lot of people, don’t worry about perfecting the path all the way along.

 

Honestly, it's not even just those going through recruiting. It's far beyond that.

From the covid era until now, I know of many very senior people who were in the midst of losing everything, or potentially soon, and who may have defaulted or lost a job in a few cases.

During covid, I had an older billionaire in my office, literally crying because he believed he lost everything. I know of a few others that people were getting a bit worried about them, due to their dark mindset.

The point is that all of us will experience some level of difficulty or hardship at some point, and the key is to remember that hardship (even extreme) is only temporary -- the key is to get through this moment.

It's a bad moment, a bump in the road, and everyone should just focus on getting through this moment... and look forward to the next step, planning your best course of action ahead.

Good post.

Investor (30+ years); IB/RE/PE/Corp. Exp (MD level); currently, head of boutique private equity firm; principal of family office.
 

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