3 times you should hit 'reset' on the job search — and how to do it

Often when a tough task isn’t quite clicking, you know the best way to change things up is to take a break. You’ll come back refreshed, with a new perspective that can help you break through a mental block.

And yet, so often when the job search is getting people down, they take a more-is-more approach. Your first 10 applications haven’t gotten a response? Send 15 more! You’ve been spending 30 minutes each day browsing open positions? Bump it up to an hour!

This motivation to double-down is understandable: If you’re actively searching, odds are you’re either unemployed or unhappy in your current role, so you want to know you’re doing all you can to find something ASAP.

However, the last thing you want to do is get in your own way. With that in mind, here are three signs you should back away from the search for a little bit, plus ideas for exactly how to do it.

1. You’re applying to every job under the sun

I know: Desperate times call for desperate measures. When your bills are stacking up or you don’t know how you’ll stomach one more day in a role you hate, you decide any job would be better than your current situation.

The issue with that mentality is that hiring managers can smell it a mile away — and it turns them off. They’re looking for hires who are excited about the scope of work and who’ll be able to contribute to the company. If it’s clear that you applied simply because there was an opening, there isn’t a compelling reason to move your candidacy forward.

Take a break

First things first, take a few days off. Yes, that sounds terrifying because the perfect position could be posted during that time; however, if it was, how would you even distinguish it from the rest? Take time to check in with yourself: What would you love to do in an upcoming role and what skills do you possess?

Once you have some clarity, get back to the search, but this time, be strategic. Muse Writer Kristen Walker suggests using a “9-out-of-10 rule.” As she explains, “Essentially, if a job does not rank as a 9 out of 10 in terms of both your level of excitement and competency, then it’s not worth applying to.” Fewer applications translates to more time to make them as strong as possible. Plus, you’ll have a stand-out answer when you’re asked, “Why are you interested in this position?”

2. You’re obsessing

OK, to some degree pretty much everyone obsesses when waiting to hear back about a job. It’s normal give it a lot of thought — after all, landing a new role can mean a good deal of change, and that’s exciting (and even a bit scary).

But, you know when it’s taken over your life. It’s all you talk about — and you’re visiting with anyone who’ll listen just to discuss it some more. You turn down social invitations, quit going to the gym, and haven’t done your laundry in weeks, because every spare moment goes to checking your email and the company’s website.

Fast-forward and either you’ll have landed the amazing opportunity or you won’t have — but regardless, you’re setting yourself up for major disappointment. Why are you unhappy in either scenario? Because after months of ignoring every other person and aspect of your life, you’ll have to rebuild. In the midst of acclimating to a new job (or having to put yourself out there again), your mile is minutes slower, your plants have died, and you missed your cousin’s birthday.

Take a break

Yes, looking for a new position can feel like a full-time position in and of itself, but you still need to find the balance. If you don’t have time to look for a new role, Muse Editor-in-Chief Adrian Granzella Larssen advises scaling back your efforts at your current job. She suggests you still do great work, but don’t clock in overtime every single day.

You can apply this same strategy to your search efforts. Yes, you want to follow up on any emails a timely manner, but no, you don’t need to check your inbox throughout a meal with friends. Sure, you want to be brushing up on how you’ll answer common questions and negotiate your salary, but you don’t need to skip the gym from here on out in order to do it. Give the hunt no more than 100% — and the rest of the time, step away from the computer and invest in the other parts of your life.

3. You’re advancing, but not getting offers

This is one of the most frustrating — and most obvious — signs that the “go big or go home” approach you’ve taken isn’t working. If you're landing interviews, but you’re never extended an offer, something isn’t clicking.

If you kept stalling at the same point (e.g., making it to a phone screen, but never called for an in-person interview), you could study up on the aspect that’s tripping you up. However, sometimes you really don’t know what you’re doing wrong. You’re a finalist, and just when you expect to hear how much the company wants you, you’re told you’re not a fit.

Take a break

Let’s start with the good news: The fact that you’re seeing some advancement means your application has good bones. You probably have a solid resume and cover letter, and you’re applying for jobs that are well-matched to your qualifications.

However, if you keep feeling like you’re missing an elusive “it factor,” your best bet it to back away for a bit and reflect. Are you sure you’re not blowing the salary question every time because you’re not 100% sure you want to relocate? Maybe you stall when you’re asked why you’d do a great job because you’re not entirely convinced this is what you want to do. Look for any signs you may be getting in your way at crunch time; or better yet, reach out to a career coach who can walk you through a discussion of your goals and strategy.

When you want to make a change in your career, you usually want it yesterday. And while this sense of urgency is beneficial in motivating you to put in the energy to find a great new role; it can also cause you to overdo it. So, if you’re spending all of your time applying but not seeing the results you’d hoped for, mix it up and “quit” searching for a bit. Scaling back could make all the difference.

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• The Positive Trait That Holds Talented People Back at Work
• 3 Reasons You Can't Motivate Yourself at Work Anymore—and How to Overcome Each One

This article originally published at The Muse here

9 things that'll help your startup grow after the incubator stage

Did you know the first business incubator opened in the U.S. in 1959? Now flash forward to today and there are more than 7,000 incubators worldwide (including Paul Graham’s Y Combinator). For decades, they have been helping startups with everything from technology training, crafting pitches, gaining knowledge from advisors, networking, office space and obtaining seed money.

It’s also been found that “the survival rate of incubated firms can be more than three times higher than non-incubated firms.”

But what happens after you’ve made it through your incubator? Remember, 90 percent of startups will fail, so here are nine things to help you reduce those odds and grow your business.

1. Choose wisely

Let’s start at the very beginning to make sure you chose your incubator wisely.Entrepreneur recommends you ask the following questions when selecting, or deciding if you need, an incubator:

• What can you do and what should others handle?
• Do you need the help of a specialist?
• Are their current startups on your wavelength?
• How much are you willing to spend?
• What else are you looking for?

2. Be sure your business can disrupt, substitute or complement

Kendall Wouters, CEO of Reach Ventures in Cleveland, says “most incubators are cultivating a garden of startups that are dead on arrival.” That’s because incubators are sold on a “gut feeling” instead of understanding whether the business is actually sustainable.

“If you’re going into a market and you don’t have a fundamental way to disrupt, substitute or complement existing innovation enough for the customer’s behavior to change, you are wasting time,” Wouters says.

3. Get your name out there

The most effective way in getting your name out there is through content marketing. Whether it’s frequent blog posts, videos, graphs or eBooks, generating quality content can help your startup gain traction by generating a little buzz — even if you aren’t currently selling a product.

4. Keep it lean

Just because you've graduated from an accelerator, doesn't mean you can act like a big company. Bubba Page, founder of Outro, a referral automation platform for B2B companies, went through Techstars Boulder accelerator in 2014. He says: 

In an accelerator, you are going to learn how to work faster and more efficiently than you have ever worked before. Remember, that staying lean in your software development, marketing, travel and everywhere you can, will give you more runway to prove out your idea. 

Take advantage of the perks that come with accelerators, some provide free credits for web hosting or web services, legal help and tons of software 'starter' packages from top brands from around the world. These perks help you to keep your costs to a minimum, while you are finding product market fit both during and after the program. Don't scale pre-maturely, or you will burn through the cash you have too quickly and not have enough time to reach breakeven or your next funding milestone.

5. Network, network, network

Despite all the connections that you can make through social media or blogging, nothing beats getting out of the office and networking in person.

SEE ALSO: 10 goals that will elevate your business and personal well-being

Think about the people you want to meet and where you can meet them. Will they be at an upcoming industry event? Can you schedule a business lunch with them? You will want to offer them something of value, such as advice on improving their business or an interesting article that they might find informative.

In my experience, this is much more effective than just handing out business cards. Are you an introvert? If so, here are a few networking tips that may be helpful.

6. Focus on customer acquisition, not just financing

Sramana Mitra says in the Harvard Business Review, “Most incubators use funding as a success metric, which is a somewhat flawed criterion. Over 99 percent of companies should operate as organically grown, self-sustaining businesses — bootstrapped, without external financing.” Mitra adds, “For them the goal is to achieve customer validation, not financing. Yet if the incubator uses financing as its success metric, it will try to force inexperienced entrepreneurs into an unnecessary financing round. And more often than not, they will fail.”

Instead, keep acquiring customers through content marketing, networking and most importantly, talk to your potential customers whenever you have a chance. Find out how you can help them by discussing their wants, needs, pain points, fears, objections and goals.

7. Find mentors

There’s a chance that after you made it through the incubator that you no longer have a mentor. But, as George Deeb says in Forbes, “Mentors or business coaches are one of the most valuable resources an entrepreneur should tap into.” 

Deeb further suggests to “search for the mentors who are experts on your specific business size, your specific industry or your specific business problem (e.g., marketing issue vs. technology issue) on a case-by-case basis.”

8. Secure funding after the 'program'

Peter Relan explains this perfectly on TechCrunch: “During the incubator program or at demo day, startups can expect a flood of funding. However after this initial phase, I see too many companies struggle with continuing the flow of funds.”

Fortunately, there are still ways for you to secure funding for you startups. Examples include:

• Getting a loan from a bank or credit-card line of card.
• Trading equity or services for help.
• Finding customers or partners who will purchase your product or service in advance.
• Launching a crowdfunding campaign.
• Seeking a business grant.
• Borrowing money from friends or family.
• Bootstrapping your startup on your own.

9. Have the right tools and resources

Just because you no longer have the tools or resources that were offered at your incubator program doesn’t mean you don’t have access to additional tools or resources. In fact, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of tools and resources ranging from analytics to wireframing and mockups that are at your fingertips.

A great starting point would be this From A to Z: 200 Essential Resources for Entrepreneurs Building Business.

Here's to growing your business!