The word "Gestalt" is a German term that roughly translates to "form" or "configuration." The Gestalt approach is a therapy method in psychology that adopts a holistic perspective, considering individuals as whole entities rather than just the sum of their parts. This approach helps individuals better understand the present moment by assisting them in comprehending their past experiences, emotions, and thoughts. When applied to the job search process, the Gestalt approach encourages individuals to explore their inner worlds more deeply, gaining a better understanding of the obstacles they face in their job search. This can lead to making healthier decisions, improving communication, and achieving greater success in the job search process. By helping individuals to better understand themselves and utilize their potential, the Gestalt approach can provide a significant advantage in the job search process. In our blog post, we explore some ways in which the Gestalt approach can be applied to the job search process.
The Gestalt approach's holistic perspective considers individuals as complete entities, emphasizing that various aspects of their lives (such as personal values, goals, and relationships) are interconnected and influence one another. In job searching, this perspective encourages individuals to reflect on how their personal values and life goals align with their career aspirations. For example, someone may realize that their desire for work-life balance impacts their choice of job location or industry.
Gestalt approach encourages individuals to experiment with new behaviors and ways of thinking to gain insight and personal growth. In job searching, this might involve trying different networking strategies or exploring job opportunities in industries outside of their comfort zone. For instance, someone might attend a networking event focused on a different industry to expand their professional network and gain new perspectives.
Self-awareness in Gestalt therapy involves understanding one's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. In job searching, this might mean recognizing patterns of behavior that are hindering the job search process, such as procrastination or self-doubt. By becoming more self-aware, individuals can make conscious choices that align with their career goals. For example, someone might realize through self-awareness that they tend to undervalue their skills and achievements, leading them to actively work on building self-confidence during their job search.
Gestalt therapy emphasizes being fully present in the moment to experience and understand one's thoughts and feelings. In job searching, this could involve focusing on the immediate tasks at hand, such as updating a resume or preparing for an interview, rather than worrying about future outcomes. By staying present, individuals can approach each step of the job search process with mindfulness and intentionality, leading to a more effective and less stressful experience.
Overall, the Gestalt approach can be a useful framework for job searching by emphasizing self-awareness, present-moment focus, and holistic perspective, and encouraging experimentation to gain insight into one's own career goals and aspirations.
The Succefy career team, with guidance from a Gestalt therapist, has authored this article, and all rights belong to Succefy. It may not be published on other pages, even with attribution, without permission."