How to Job Hunt Happy Until you Hear “You’re Hired!”

Beginning a new job hunt can feel exhilarating. You launch your search full of hope, with visions of a new and enriching role. You imagine opportunities to contribute at a high level, supporting a cause that’s near to your heart. You revel in the endless possibilities that a higher salary will bring. You relish the idea of having autonomy in your role and a collaborative team at your side. 😃

But after a few weeks, the road to that new role seems longer than you first noticed. You squint to see that sparkly dream of your new life, but it seems to be getting farther away by the day.

You put your head down and focus on researching, applying, and networking.

Although rejection emails are frequent, and sometimes you hear nothing at all, you persist.

Weeks go by and you feel lucky to score a few screening calls with recruiters. You land an interview or two. A glimmer of promise emerges when you’re invited back for a second round, and a third.

But then, after multiple rounds of interviews, you’re told you haven’t been selected with no other feedback. Your sprint turns to a slog.

Welcome to the job hunt marathon midpoint. 😩

Weary from rejection, and likely sleep-deprived, time starts to warp. Doubts creep in and you begin feeling like you’re veering off path.

❓Am I good enough for the role I’m seeking?

❓Am I even seeking the right kind of role?

❓How much further do I have to go?

❓How much longer will this take?

When you find yourself all alone in this murky middle, take this compassionate advice from our clients who have braved the road before you and finally found the work that was meant for them:

Get Organized, Set Goals & Track Your Progress

Order outside brings calm inside. Reevaluate your job search strategy and establish the level of output that feels right for you.

Can you manage to send 5 LinkedIn connections each day, or is 10 achievable? Are you applying for 1 job per day, or is 3 attainable?

Once you determine your metrics, write them down.

Create a spreadsheet and start tracking your progress every day.

Get Excited About The Future

Whatever your reason for being on the hunt right now, it’s important to give yourself permission to reflect on those circumstances and feel the potentially negative feelings that come up around them.

Then, shift your perspective toward a positive future.

Imagine the benefits that a new role will bring such as more autonomy, a more collaborative team, more growth, more money, or a better work life balance.

Focus on the exciting ways you will contribute in your next role and imagine what life will look like once you land your dream job.

You’ll be amazed at how your job hunt stamina increases.

Know Your BRAG stories

Prepare 3 or 4 key achievement stories that illustrate how you’ve brought value to your previous teams.

Use a framework (like our BRAG method at Raven Road Partners) to outline them succinctly and then practice telling those stories out loud with an objective listener.

The act of sharing your successes verbally will build your confidence and prepare you to deliver them clearly and with less anxiety than if you only write them down and read them silently.

Celebrate Small Victories

Because you’re now tracking your activity, you have a tangible way to reflect on your successes every week.

Take the time to review what you’ve done and seek out ways to feel proud of your accomplishments.

🙌 Did you score an informational interview with an old friend? Awesome!

🙌 Did you manage to get 5 applications out this week? Great!

🙌 Did 4 people accept your LinkedIn request? Nice job!

Any movement forward is a sign of your determination and progress. You got this!

Get Support

To fight negative thought patterns during a lengthy job hunt, lean on a supportive network.

If your personal network can’t really help with your specific job hunting needs, don’t be afraid to reconnect with previous colleagues, make new connections with fellow job seekers, or form alliances with others in your field through LinkedIn groups.

Job hunting can feel lonely so it’s important to focus on expanding rather than contracting your circles. 🤝 And, if you do your best to help others connect with each other you'll increase your own sense of generosity, personal value and well being.

Seek Feedback, Iterate & Improve

If you’ve been applying everywhere and interviewing with no feedback, ask someone to review your resume and listen to the ways you talk about your experience.

Personal connections are a good start, but for a genuine, objective review with recommendations (based on current market conditions and industry best practices) consider a coach who specializes in the job change journey.

Look for someone who offers 1:1 support to get feedback on your specific needs. Meet with them first to make sure you feel comfortable with their ability to evaluate your message and guide you through improvements.

Considering a coach? Let's talk.

I've spent the last 12 years evaluating profiles, interviewing and hiring top talent. It's been an honor to help professionals develop their most compelling career narratives to land offers for their most meaningful work, and I can help you too.