5 Ways Your Subpar Sleep Patterns Are Keeping You From Getting Hired

This post is sponsored by Casper.

Are you deep in the job hunt and not getting hired? You’re probably checking over your resume for the millionth time and going to every networking event under the sun, but the larger issue has nothing to do with your work experience.

The real culprit could be sleep deprivation.

While it may seem far-fetched to associate not getting a job or internship with lackluster sleep patterns, it’s actually making a bigger (and more alarming) difference than you think.

Just how much is your lack of sleep affecting your chances of getting hired? Here are 5 key ways the late nights are keeping you from putting your best foot forward professionally—and how to get the best sleep ever instead.

1. You’re More Irritable

How can you best your best self if you’re groggy and grumpy? Sleep-deprived people are more stressed, angry and mentally exhausted than those who get a full night’s rest, and if you’re repeatedly not sleeping enough, chances are other people taking notice of your attitude.

For instance, it’s one thing to get rejected from a job because the hiring manager picked someone more qualified. But it’s a completely different beast if lack of sleep made you seem irritable or uninterested during your job interview.

By not hitting the sack sooner, you’re sabotaging your own success, and an extra hour or two of sleep each night could make all the difference.

Sleeping pro tip: Step away from social media an hour before bed so you won’t go to sleep angry or flustered. It’s hard to sleep when your mind is racing.

2. You’re Not Getting Through Those Job Apps Efficiently

Have you been staring at the same sentence on your resume for the past 30 minutes? Staying up late to watch the latest episode of The Bachelorette or Game of Thrones is messing with how much you can get done.

Researchers say that going to sleep early and staying asleep are crucial to being your most productive self. If you’re hoping to get job apps out in a timely manner and rack up those interviews, you’ll need all the sleep you can get.

Sleeping pro tip: Visualize what you hope to get done the next day so you wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on anything.

3. You’re More Likely to Make Mistakes Along the Way

Trying to job search on 4 or 5 hours of sleep day in and day out? Chances are you’re making silly mistakes (hello, resume typos) and just not thinking through your job hunt as much when you’re running on empty.

Studies have shown that sleep deprivation is a serious performance killer, and this doesn’t just include your performance on the actual job; not getting enough sleep can keep you from making smarter decisions during every part of the job hunt, from filling out applications and networking with others to giving answers in interviews and negotiating your salary.

Sleeping pro tip: Make your sleep environment as comfortable as possible. Invest in a mattress that supports your back (Casper’s memory foam does wonders for your joints), buy a fluffy comforter and pillows, and turn down the temperature in the room.

4. You’re Not as Creative

When you’re not getting in those zzz’s, you’re also not as creative as you’d normally be.

Why does this matter to your job search? Here’s an example: Regardless of the field you’re going into, you’ll be asked to show how innovative and out-of-the-box you are as a candidate during some point during the hiring process. That could mean creating a visually appealing resume or being asked to put together unique solutions to a mock-case study during an interview.

Adding sleep deprivation to an already pressure-filled situation doesn’t bode well, so doing yourself a favor and making sure you’re well-rested can make all the difference.

Sleeping pro tip: Do something manual before bed, like doodling or reading a paper book. It’ll make you feel sleepier before you turn off the lights.

5. You’re Probably Nursing Other Bad Habits

There’s a reason why poor sleep patterns are linked to things like weight gain, likelihood to smoke, lack of exercise and more.

When you wake up exhausted, you’re more likely to let other things slide, all of which can directly or indirectly affect how you go about your job search, how much you get done and how you compose yourself in front of potential employers and other professionals.

If getting an extra couple hours of sleep per night could make a dramatic difference in how you feel about yourself and how you go about your days in general, why not make the change?

Sleeping pro tip: Practicing bad habits (like eating junk food or drinking caffeine at night) before going to bed can prolong insomnia. Make your nightly ritual simple and mindful, like dimming the lights and listening to calming music.

The great thing about your sleep patterns is that you can improve them overnight—literally. Get a comfy mattress and pillows, and you’ll notice an immediate improvement in your job search and overall wellbeing.

Casper believes in creating products and experiences to help you dream your way to a better life, a life well slept. Use the code WAYUP50 to get $50 offer your Casper mattress purchase.