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Looking for a job or internship can lead to feelings of stress and anxiety for many students. Recent news of inflation and layoffs can heighten the pressure and make the job search feel more challenging. If your student feels stressed about the job search process, you can share strategies to help them manage those feelings.

Avoid comparisons

Encourage your student to avoid comparing their job or internship search to their friends or classmates. Each person’s experience is unique. Their peers may have different connections, ambitions or skills that helped them secure an interview or discover an opportunity. Comparison can foster insecurity and unnecessary pressure. Instead, they can focus on their goals and opportunities.

Give themselves grace

All-or-nothing thinking, like I’ll never get an interview, can lead to more negative feelings. Your student can change their perspective by adding ‘yet’ to their thought process. For example, I haven’t been invited to an interview yet. This subtle shift can do wonders for their outlook. Also, remind your student that the job search process can feel stressful for everyone and that many other students are still looking for jobs and internships.

Make a plan

The job and internship process includes many steps, like writing a resume, creating online profiles and searching for open positions. Help your student establish goals for their job or internship search. They can then make an achievable and sustainable plan. For example, how much time will they spend weekly on job search activities? What steps will they take to meet their goals? Encourage your student to develop a schedule and stick with it.Ìý

Consider what’s ‘good enough’

Your student may not get their dream job or internship immediately, and that’s okay. They can consider what other types of positions would meet their standards. They can explore these expanded job options and apply to the ones that are ‘good enough.’ Let your student know they don’t have to get the best possible job right away. Other opportunities could help them gain experience and enhance their resume to help them land their dream job later.

Create security

If your student relies on a job or internship for financial security, they may need a backup plan. If they don’t find a full-time position by their goal date, they will still have a way to support themselves. Consider whether they can move back in with family. Or they may find a part-time job while searching for a steadier opportunity. A backup plan can help reduce stress and extend your student’s timeline for finding a permanent position.Ìý

Take a break

The job search doesn’t have to consume your student’s life. Encourage them to find balance. Taking a break can help your student clear their mind, improve their outlook and reinvigorate them to move forward. Your student doesn’t have to feel like all their time must go to looking for a job or internship. They can take care of themselves throughout the process.

Seek support

Your student doesn’t have to navigate the stress of finding a job or internship alone. They can reach out to their support network, including family, friends, professors or advisors. Sometimes talking through concerns with another person can help reduce stress and allow students to move forward.Ìý

Your student can also connect with campus resources: