Job searching for highly sensitive people can be more stressful than it is for the average person. Although being an HSP is not a disability, it does come with limitations. You may have trouble functioning in environments and situations that would not bother most people. And since highly sensitive people are a minority of the population, others might not understand why certain tasks are more difficult for you or why little things bother you. A few guidelines to follow when searching for a job:
Be Picky
Everyone should be particular to an extent when applying to jobs. But as an HSP, you need to be especially careful when applying. You may feel pressure to apply to any job that comes along, but quality beats quantity when it comes to a successful job search. If you know you’ll hate a job based on the description or employer, don’t bother applying. You’ll just waste time and create more stress for yourself.
Be Specific
Creating a list of requirements for your ideal job helps. No job will be perfect, but you should have a set list of requirements that a job must meet. For some HSPs, that may mean flexible hours while others may want a job with a quiet working environment. Know what you are willing to compromise on and what you have to have in a job.
Don’t Make Rushed Decisions
Once you get an offer, you may feel pressure to accept right away. However, you shouldn’t make a decision in the moment. Give yourself a day or two to think it over. Most employers allow for, and even expect, applicants to take time to consider an offer before accepting.
Ask Questions
Asking questions of a potential employer is an important step for any job-seeker, but it matters even more when you’re an HSP. Have a list of questions ready for your interviewer and make sure you get the chance to ask them all. If the interviewer doesn’t give you a chance for questions, follow-up with an email thanking them for their time and also include your additional questions. Make sure your questions are about the job tasks and work environment, not about salary and benefits. Information about salary, benefits and other perks can be covered once you receive a job offer.
Give Yourself a Break
It’s often said that job hunting is a full-time job itself. But job searching can be very stressful and draining, particularly for HSP’s. Give yourself breaks between interviews, ideally at least a couple of days. And don’t spend all day applying. Apply to the jobs that match your criteria and don’t waste time on ones that don’t fit. Finally, turn your communication notifications (ringtone and email) on and off at a certain point instead of leaving them on all day. Although you want to be responsive to potential employers, you also need to set boundaries.
Job hunting can become stressful very quickly and they process can wear on an HSP more so than the average person. Therefore, highly sensitive people should be very mindful of their needs and limits during the job search process.