Originally shared via email. For early access to UN job search success tips and advice, subscribe to the newsletter here.

While I do encourage you to "keep sending those applications!", please make sure you give yourself a real break every so often. That means stepping away from job searching and application tweaking too!

I know it's tempting to use time off from work to dive into job hunting, but your brain needs downtime to recharge – a vacation from being immersed in all things work and career matters. And I want you to give yourself full permission to do so, without a morsel of guilt for what you think you should have or could have done.

Here's my suggestion: for at least 75% of your time off, make yourself a rule, not to do anything work or career related.

You'll come back to it with renewed energy. Perhaps even re-directed energy, as a relaxed mind, is a creative mind as well.

And one more thing:

Too often, I see people in the impact sector with out-of-office messages saying they're on leave so "responses may be delayed." No shame if you've used this, but you have to stop. You NEED to be on leave when you're on leave! Here's what you write instead:

"Thank you for your message. I'm currently on leave. For urgent matters, please forward your email to mycolleague[a]orgdomain.org. On all other matters, I'll get back to you after my return to work on DD Month."

Then log out and STAY out of your inbox until you're truly back. It's doable. Maybe no one else in your office does it, then this is your chance to be a role model.

Good people, doing good work, need their breaks! 📣