Job hunting can be stressful, even in Canada, where the unemployment rate has dropped to the lowest in four decades. In Canada, it takes an average of four months to find a job, though some people wait longer than a year - a fact that can undermine their economic security and cause stress and anxiety. It may take time to be called for an interview or to be called by your choice of companies, and it is important to be in your most positive frame of mind if you are to meet every obstacle with courage and aplomb. One way to ensure this is the case, is to embrace your spirituality, to battle stress, feel more supported, and feel happier until you land your dream job.

What is the Link between Spirituality and Positivity?

As younger generations begin to veer away from organized religion yet embrace spirituality strongly, the scientific community has been busy carrying out a wide array of studies on the mental health effects of spirituality. Their findings show that being part of a spiritual community promotes greater overall happiness, better mood, and an enhanced ability to stave off anxiety and depression. As noted in an article in Time, “Study after study has found that religious people tend to be less depressed and less anxious than non-believers, better able to handle the vicissitudes of life than non-believers.” Being part of a spiritual community (whether this involves organized religion or not) somehow enriches our lives by providing a sense of connection, meaning, and purpose. Spirituality can play an important role in keeping you inspired and positive throughout the job-seeking process.

Undertaking Practical Tasks with the Right Frame of Mind

Many spiritual practises – including yoga, meditation, and Tai Chi – focus on mindfulness (keeping the mind in the ‘present moment’) as a way to battle stress. Studies have shown that these pursuits boost cognitive performance and focus, which are key when you applying for a job. Mindfulness is key for everything from writing a resume to answering questions without fear or stress at a job interview. Most recruiters spend an average of six seconds looking at each individual CV. Therefore, you need to take time and focus well on resume writing, so as to capture their attention. In a clear, focused state of mind, think well about the presentation, design, and content of your resume. In your Hobbies or Extra Information section, you might consider including any community based activities you form part of – everything from fundraising efforts to organisation, marketing, or social media. Think of the roles you undertake as part of your spiritual organization. Are any relevant to the role you are applying for?

Getting Over Job Interview Stress

Research shows that over 90% of adults attending an interview get stressed or nervous. After all, many questions are specifically framed to test how well you handle yourself when put ‘on the spot’, and candidates know that their ultimate chances of being offered the job depend on how well they perform at an interview, as well as their ability to create rapport or to present themselves as good team players.

Spirituality can help you withstand the stress of a job interview in many ways. If you are into holistic practises like yoga, for instance, then without a doubt you are familiar with pranayamic (or controlled) breathing, found in many studies to significantly lower levels of stress hormone, cortisol. Pranayamic breathing lowers the heart and breathing rate, stopping an anxiety attack in its tracks and keeping your mind in the here and now. Your spirituality can serve as a spiritual buffer in many ways, since a big part of many different types of faith involves the belief in a powerful life force that connects all human beings. You can prevent even a tough interview from leading you into a state of anxiety by relying on spiritual concepts such as the impermanence of all things, and by harnessing ‘the power of now” to stay focused, interest, and inspired, by the present moment.

Spirituality bolsters us in many ways. When we are part of a faith-based community, we can feel bolstered during tough times. By relying on others, partaking in mindfulness practises and staying calm thanks to your belief in something more powerful than yourself, you can perform at your best at your next job interview. Rely on those in your community for advice, to practice interview questions, or to obtain experience, and don’t be shy to use the experience gleaned in your community to build a useful resume that highlights your abilities and commitment.

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