Tough Job Market Got You Down?

Three Ways to Develop Resilience while Searching for a New Position

In this newsletter:

• 3 tips for developing resilience in a tough job market,

• a blessing for job seekers, and

• a few popular posts to read during July.

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Three Ways to Develop Resilience in a Tough Job Market

The job market is bleak. This year’s college graduates feel it. We’re feeling it acutely in our house as my husband tries to find a full-time role.

For those looking for a new job, the search can feel like a soul-sucking, energy-depleting trek through a wasteland. However, it can also be a time of tremendous personal growth, especially in resilience. So, how do we build resilience in a tough job market? Here are three ways:

1. Keep connecting,

2. Keep going, and

3. Keep learning.

Keep Connecting

We need vibrant, supportive relationships to flourish. In tough times, these supportive relationships can be a tremendous source of encouragement and support. But connecting requires that we take some initiative. We have to reach out to others, explain our situation, and ask for what we need. That can be tough, especially when the frustration and shame of being out of work or not finding a job weigh us down.

If you’re in the middle of a job search, I encourage you to carve out time for connecting. Who can you text or call? Who could meet you for coffee or lunch? Who can give you a few minutes of their time, along with a little empathy and affirmation? Perhaps their words or a warm embrace could be precisely what you need to log onto Indeed again or start a new search on LinkedIn.

…And Networking

Bonus: Connecting can also help you find a new job. The people you know may be able to help you tap into the hidden job market. Hidden jobs are open positions that aren’t advertised on employment sites. To find them, we have to network.

We may hear the word “network” and shudder. Networking can feel transactional, like we’re just meeting people for the sake of their connections. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Networking can be a way to start mutually beneficial, even transformational, relationships. So, sign up for the next speed networking event in your area, or ask someone for an informational interview about their role. You never know what will come of it. What if your courage leads to new friendships? What if leads to an interview?

And don’t forget to reach out to people who are already in your network. This includes family and friends. DM your college friend to ask if they know of any open positions at their firm. Ask your mom if she knows anyone who works at the place you’re applying to. Remind your neighbor that you’re looking for a new job and ask him to keep an ear out.

When you ask those in your network for support, you’re inviting others to join you in the difficult work of turning over rocks. With more folks on the team, you’ll feel less alone in your search, and maybe you’ll find something sooner.

Keep Going

Keep applying for jobs. Yes, it’s tedious. Yes, it can feel futile to send your resume into the void, praying the algorithms screen it as worthy of a human eye. But we need to put in the work. Even if someone in your network invites you to apply for a job, you’re likely going to have to go through the same application steps as everyone else: resume, cover letter, and a list of references.

I get it. It’s tough to be vulnerable over and over again. Each application is another risk, another chance at rejection. I almost didn’t apply for my last job because I was scared of how I’d feel if I didn’t get it. It takes courage to keep going in the face of possible rejection. And practicing courage builds resilience!

I think of the adage, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” It’s true in the job search, too. Chances are, you’re not going to get a job you never applied for. Shoot your shots.

Keep Learning

Finally, throughout the job search process, keep learning. Each time you scan a job listing, tweak your resume, write a new cover letter, or participate in an interview, you have the opportunity to learn more about yourself. Self-awareness is a superpower. It can also help you remain resilient in a tough job market because you can keep coming back to who you are and what you value.

Here are some reflection questions to keep in mind:

• What about the job excites you?

  • Could that reveal some of your strengths? Does it help you clarify your sense of purpose?

• What story does your resume tell? What story does your resume leave out?

  • What might your resume reveal about the points of shame and pride in your professional journey?

• What feels authentic and resonant about what you present in your application or interview?

  • What does that tell you about who you are and what you value?

• What feels fake or maybe a bit disingenuous?

  • What does the need to stretch the truth or be inauthentic say about who you are and what you value?

• When does imposter syndrome creep in?

  • What could be making you feel insecure? Do you have actual evidence that you don’t measure up?

• Did you have any red flags during the application process?

  • What might they tell you about the type of work or work environment that would work best for you?

Reflecting on every aspect of the job search process can be invaluable. You can learn so much about yourself, and that new self-awareness could also stand out to potential employers.

One Final Thought

If you’re a person of faith, keep trusting God. It can be so difficult to remember God’s care and provision in seasons that feel like a wilderness. Trust him to make a way as he did for Elijah.

Take a few minutes to read 1 Kings 17. Pay attention to Elijah’s circumstances. How did God care and provide for Elijah? As you reflect on the passage, what invitation might God have for you?

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A Blessing for Job Seekers

You can download a FREE bookmark with the prayer on it below.

Wwh Blessing For Job Seekers

20.3KB ∙ PDF file

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See You in August!

I’ll be taking July off from writing here. I’ll see you in August. In the meantime, check out these popular posts from the past year.