By Melissa Tepperman, Director, Capital Formation & Investment Support
When I work with candidates who are deep in their job search, it’s common to hear how overwhelming the process can be while still balancing their full-time position. Between juggling multiple interview rounds and preparing for different interview styles, all while not falling behind in your full-time role, it’s easy to hit a point of fatigue.
The truth is, interviewing while working is a lot like taking on a second job — one that requires emotional, mental, and logistical energy. My job as a recruiter isn’t just to line up interviews. It’s to help you navigate the process in a sustainable way, so you can perform at your best without burning out along the way. Here’s how I encourage my candidates to manage the process more intentionally and alleviate any job search fatigue:
1. Anchor Yourself at the Start of Each Week
Every Monday, take 15 minutes to map out what’s coming up. List out all interviews, prep sessions, and deadlines. Then block specific time for each one and set aside some extra time for any last-minute additions. This small ritual sets the tone for the week and helps you stay proactive rather than reactive. It also ensures you’re fully aware of the interviews you have lined up for that week, so you stay organized and never miss anything.
2. Track Your Activity
Mental clutter is one of the biggest drivers of job search fatigue. Don’t keep everything in your head. Instead, keep one central place where you track who you’ve spoken with, key takeaways from each conversation, and upcoming next steps. A simple spreadsheet or even a single PDF document gets the job done. Having everything organized in one spot not only prevents confusion between companies but also frees up mental bandwidth, so you feel calmer and more in control throughout your interview journey. While a good recruiter will remind you of any upcoming interviews, it’s important to keep them on your schedule as well.
3. Create a Baseline Narrative and Reuse It
So many candidates burn out by rewriting their story for every interview. Instead, build one comprehensive version of your background, strengths, and motivations that you can adapt by about 10% depending on the company and role. This version should feel authentic and almost like a “home base” in the process. Once you’ve built it, it will be easy to tailor based on the roles you’re interviewing for.
4. Protect Your Recovery Windows
Interview prep is important, but so is stepping away from it. Carve out true recovery time during your week, where you’re not thinking about interviewing, networking, or next steps. A 30-minute walk, time at the gym, or an evening without screens can help to reset your brain. Use these times to recharge so that when it’s time to step back into interview mode, your mind feels clear and level-headed.
5. Trust Your Gut
Pay close attention to how each process makes you feel. Are there certain interviews that energize you and others that drain you? That’s valuable data. Your energy is a real indicator of fit, both cultural and professional. Focus your effort where you feel most aligned. You’ll prepare better, interview better, and ultimately make a decision that feels right, instead of just looking good on paper.
6. Debrief After Every Interview
After each conversation, take a few minutes to note what went well, what didn’t, and any new insights. This quick debrief clears your head and prevents one interview from mentally bleeding into the next. Then, share those notes with your recruiter. They can use your feedback to recalibrate outreach, strengthen your positioning, and fine-tune next steps.
7. Give Yourself Permission to Say No
When you’re in multiple processes, it can feel like you have to see everything through. But part of managing fatigue is knowing when to step back. If an opportunity feels misaligned or has dragged on too long, it’s okay to pass. Conserving your energy for roles that truly fit will help you show up stronger where it matters most.
Managing a job search is a marathon, not a sprint, and it’s natural for it to feel overwhelming at times. Between multiple processes, competing timelines, and the pressure to keep performing in your current role, the fatigue is real. But this is exactly where having a recruiter in your corner makes all the difference.
A good recruiter isn’t just there to send you to interviews. We’re here to help you feel aligned, prepared, and supported each step of the way. When you’re upfront about your job search journey, we can help adjust pacing, coordinate with hiring teams to buy you more time, or simply act as a sounding board to help you prioritize what truly matters.
The best recruiter–candidate relationships are partnerships built on transparency and trust. My goal as a recruiter is to help you not only land the role but to do it in a way that alleviates any added stress. Because when your energy, preparation, and mindset are aligned, that’s when you show up as your best self — and that’s when great opportunities take shape.
If the process ever starts to feel heavy, take a breath, revisit your overall goal, and lean on the people who are here to support you. With the right recruiter by your side, you don’t have to go through this process alone.
About Melissa Tepperman
Melissa Tepperman is a Director at Landing Point, specializing in Capital Formation and Investment Support executive search across the Tri-State area, Boston, and California. She recruits finance, operations, and investor relations professionals for firms spanning asset management, private equity, credit funds, BDC investing, and hedge funds.
Notable searches include mid to senior-level placements in business development, investor operations, and investment operations for leading alternative investment platforms. Bringing career experience from renowned asset managers, Melissa delivers an informed market perspective on deal execution, fundraising talent, and operations team design. She advises clients on talent trends in capital formation, recruiting for investor relations expansion, and the shift toward integrated operations functions that support firm growth.
A graduate of Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business with a degree in Finance, Melissa is passionate about travel, fitness, music, and exploring new restaurants with family and friends.