Finding a new job sucks. No other way around it. If you are committed to running a complete process - not just taking the first opportunity that comes along - it can be draining.
For me, finding a new job just felt like a lot of talk and not a lot of action. Employers are constantly evaluating you. You are evaluating them. No matter how thorough a process is, it never feels like enough. Do I want to work there? Did they really get to see my strengths?
There is a bright lining to running a long process. First: you never know what is out there unless you play the field a little. If you know exactly what you want and your first opportunity is that: then take it. But if you aren't in that position, taking some time to flesh out what it is you do want is the right move if you can swing it.
For those who have been in the market for months, either passively or actively, there is no doubt benefit in getting your face in front of people. The right opportunity is hard to come by and frequently, if you didn't get that job, it was probably a a matter of "fit" and if you left a good impression, that hiring manager may look you up in the future.
Often when working full time, your opportunity network suffers. Unless you are in an external facing role, your network is typically the company you are working for. If you can, take the time to find the right job, You'll be happier in the end and the arduous process can pay off down the line when you are looking that move after next.
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