How can you manage the stress of waiting to hear back from an employer?

The waiting time for a response from the employer shouldn’t be stressful, since from the moment you are looking for a job, you must be aware that the employer may have a process for selecting a candidate. Taking this into consideration, when you attend the interview, you should ask to the recruiter the estimate waiting time. In the meantime, you should proceed with your job search, if you don’t receive a call within the period that was provided, then you can send an email or call the company requesting feedback about the interview. It’s good to remain focus on your job search, since the more options you have, you will be able to choose which job is best for you according to your value’s.

Remember this that waiting for a response from an employer is a temporary phase. By managing your stress and focusing on productive activities, you can make the waiting period more bearable and maintain a positive mindset throughout the process. Here are somethings you can do: 1. By understanding that hiring decisions often take time, and there can be various factors that contribute to delays. 2. You need to distract yourself by engaging in activities that keep your mind occupied and help you relax. 3. You need to have a realistic mindset. While waiting, remind yourself that there's no guarantee of a positive outcome. 4. Instead of obsessing over the waiting period, focus on other areas of your job search.

As a recruiter, I know firsthand that when it comes to searching for a job, there are many factors out of one's control. However, what we CAN control is how we react. Practicing self care, both mentally and physically, is incredibly important. Leaning to loved ones to provide support and guidance is so helpful as well. What is meant to happen will happen and if a role is not offered, that means there is another role that is even better waiting for you. Rejection doesn't mean you're note good enough. Rather, it is redirection to something bigger and better. Keep networking, keep at it - and never give up. Job seekers, you only need one YES!

During the job search, candidates should remember that not every outcome is within their control. Various factors, like internal applicants, budget freezes, leadership changes, or evolving role requirements, can influence hiring decisions. It's crucial not to take these outcomes personally. Often, the real reasons remain hidden. Trust in the process and the belief that what's meant to be will happen can help reduce stress. Instead, focus your energy on aspects you can control, such as researching companies, staying prepared for interviews, organizing your job applications, and being kind to yourself. Ultimately, maintaining resilience and trust is key during the waiting period.

Self-care is SO important when it comes to the physical and emotional toll when trying to find your next role or waiting to hear back from an employer. Make sure you take time for yourself, find activities that will give you a relief from the process. For me, working out and playing golf are ways I practice self-care but it's different for everyone. One last thing, that most people don't think of or don't normally consider, but taking a day or two off from the job search to mentally recharge is just as important too.

Waiting to hear back from potential employers can be a challenging period. It's crucial to prioritize self-care to maintain your well-being. Ensure you're getting sufficient sleep, eating nutritiously, staying active through regular exercise, and staying hydrated. Coping with stress is equally vital—consider incorporating activities like meditation, breathing exercises, journaling, or confiding in a trusted friend. Moreover, striking a balance between job searching and engaging in activities that bring joy, like pursuing hobbies or spending time with loved ones, can make a significant difference. Taking care of yourself not only supports your mental and physical health but can also positively impact your job search journey.

While waiting to hear back from an employer, it's crucial to seek support. Talking to friends, family, or mentors can provide emotional reassurance and valuable perspective. Additionally, consider joining mastermind groups with fellow job-seeking product managers. Not only can you share experiences and insights, but you'll also get a dose of humor to lighten the mood. Imagine your job-searching journey as the plot of a sitcom episode—it might not secure you a job, but it'll certainly make the waiting game more entertaining.

Recognizing your feelings will help you to understand and manage them appropriately. It is important to have support during these challenging times as these feelings could potentially show unexpectedly and in turn hurt your chances of securing a role. For example: you could have added pressure or nervousness during an interview.

Experience from previous interviews should definitely serve as a guide. While waiting you should spend time reviewing the answers you gave during the interview, your posture, demeanor and the feedback you received from the interviewers during the session. All these will serve you greatly even when you get the job, since you will be better prepared to put out your best knowing what you have gathered.

Each interview is a form of experience. You learn something at each one even if you don’t know it yet. Patience, however, is a skill that takes longer to learn and is a part of the interview process as well. It’s also a good idea to constantly learn new things and immerse yourself in other disciplines as there is always something to learn and apply to your portfolio or skill set.

100ish screens and interviews deep into my current job search - there's one truth that's gotten me through: "You've done everything you can." You can create a stellar resume, polish up your LinkedIn profile, submit every application with a referral, and perform at 110% during every interview - and you still might not get the job. Why? Because it's possible that the company: • Already has a preferred candidate • Chose to hire/promote internally • Wants someone with a differing skillset • May have changed their needs, mid-flight Focus on what you can control, anything else leaves you with innumerable questions - most of which will never be answered. "You've done everything you can."

Unfortunately, we are living in a world where candidates are getting ghosted, even after they have had an interview. If that happened to you, first, I'm really sorry - second, you probably dodged a bullet. This is not how a well-run company treats its employees. Remember, never put all your eggs in one basket. Keep applying to job adverts, keep networking, and keep interviewing.