The Job Search: Get a Good Night’s Sleep

Remember how awful the beginning of the school year was when you were a teenager? For three long months you did what you wanted, when you wanted. If you felt like staying up late: no problem. If you wanted to sleep in: no problem. Little did you realize at the time—there was a problem! The poor sleeping habits you picked up would cause you to be tired and less productive the first few weeks of the school year.

The same predicament can happen when you’re unemployed. When you don’t have a set schedule, you tend to sleepwalk (no pun intended) through life. You might be thinking: “Well, when I get a job I’ll start a schedule again.” But the longer you’re out of a set sleeping schedule, the harder it is to return to one.

When you’re searching for a job, it is important to create a schedule, even if none of the tasks are time sensitive. Make it a point to get up every morning like you were getting ready for work, but instead spend that time applying for jobs.  Having this schedule will both help you when you return to work, and when you start to line up interviews.

Many of your interviews may be bright and early before the employer’s day gets into full swing. Of course, you need to appear vibrant and energetic in these interviews. Why would you want to hire someone who looks tired and listless?

Don’t believe us? According to WebMD, a lack of sleep and can significantly impact performance and alertness while on the job. Even if your sleep is just reduced by a mere 1.5 hours per evening, it could result in your alertness decreasing by as much as 32 percent.

Need help landing that next great job? As recruiters, we know what employers are looking for in a candidate. If you’re an executive professional currently searching for a new opportunity in the financial industry, contact us today!