Disgruntled and disillusioned, the job seeker tackling opportunities in a slow job market can understandably grow more and more despondent. It's even worse when you know you're a great candidate — perhaps you were even let go from a job where your employer valued you as such. The discouragement in seasons like these can become debilitating. What does one do after they've sent countless thoughtful and tailored job applications to firms only to receive rejection or no response at all?

The diligent candidate can only continue down their same path of perseverance — continue to seek out available opportunities — that's part of it. The other is, and perhaps more subtly, to master your downtime. It's tempting to think we have nothing to do if we aren't working, but is that really true?

Here are three ways some professionals are mastering their downtime during this pandemic:

Content creation

Creative professionals have a lot to say, and those more experienced among us have a lot to offer. Writing, podcasting, YouTubing and many other mediums of expression are potential ways to share your expertise, ideas, and experience with a larger audience.

Learning new skills

Whether or not it's to improve your sketching, study for your exams, software proficiency, or even something completely unrelated to architecture, building new skills can be a potential avenue of professional and personal development.

Take a break

Some of us might need a little break from the hustle and bustle of architecture. What have you always wanted to do, but never had the time for?

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Of course, there are many other options for those with more downtime. Some may be swamped with home life — taking care of family or any other number of responsibilities. The take away for those growing frustrated is simply to try and master this season instead of allowing this season to master you.