If the job market feels tough for you right now, you are not alone. You’ve edited and refined your resume. You’ve applied to dozens of jobs only to receive generic rejection email templates. The truth is career uncertainty is something most of us will navigate at some point in our lives, but the good news is outside circumstances don’t have to dictate your story.
If you are feeling stuck right now, the most powerful thing you can do is take one step. Rach shared on a recent podcast that you don’t have to know what is 20 miles down the road, but you do just have to take one step. Analysis paralysis will keep you stuck, but you get to decide who you are and what is next for you. You just have to be resourceful with what you’ve got. Here are some practical steps to move forward and navigate uncertainty in your career.
Be Strategic With Your Time
Applying to jobs in a difficult job market can feel like throwing spaghetti at a wall and hoping for something to stick. But the truth is the more you apply to just any and every job, the less likely you are to land meaningful work. In the interim of looking for work you’re passionate about, make the most of your time by getting a temp, short-term, or part-time job to pay your bills. This way you are doing something that generates income and removes the immediate pressure to find the perfect, long-term job.
This also frees you up to be more choosy and find a job that you are passionate about. Because at the end of the day, you are trading your time for someone else’s money. The more value you provide for that exchange, the better.
Call Your Shot
We know it’s stressful when you’re on the hunt for work, but dont let that fear push you into making a bad choice. Set your intention for your job search at the beginning (or do it today if you haven’t already) by identifying your dream companies to work for. Which brands do you admire? Which companies would you love to work for? Not sure? Start following your favorite brands on social media (especially LinkedIn) to catch their vibe. Keep a note in your phone called “Dream Companies” and add to it any time something new and fun crosses your path. This allows you to focus on positive thoughts around your job search (crucial for self confidence when you land the interview) and allows you to consider entry-point jobs at ideal companies you may not have considered if you were only focused on the “dream job”.
Customize Your Resume and Cover Letter for Each Job
When you apply for a job that is aligned with where you want to be, be sure to adjust your cover letter and resume for the job you are applying for. ChatGPT, or whatever your AI chatbot of preference is, is a great tool for customizing your resume and cover letter. Start by copying and pasting the job description you are applying for into ChatGPT. Then, upload your resume. Prompt ChatGPT with the task: “Tell me where to adjust this resume to highlight the way my past experience makes me a great candidate for this job.” Ask the AI chatbot to help you rewrite your resume or highlight areas where your skillset is great for the job.
Find Temporary Work That Excites You
As you are looking for a “bridge” or an in-between job, choose something that you enjoy. If you love espresso and creamy coffee, then look for work as a barista. If you love animals, then go apply to the local animal shelter. If you are an avid book reader, then apply to work at a bookstore or library. By finding something you are interested in, you will elevate your energy and fall in love with your life. Your time is valuable, so in this time of job uncertainty, doing work you are interested in will reduce stress and help you enjoy your day. That elevated vibration will attract more opportunities and open you up to possibilities you might’ve once missed.
Consider Remote Work
Don’t overlook remote work as an option. The great thing about remote work is that it opens the door to companies across the country or even the globe where the job market is potentially better than the city you live in. So change those job filters to remote work. There are countless opportunities for full-time and part-time remote work in various industries.
Look for the Good Stuff
When navigating job uncertainty, it can be easy to fixate on the reality of a downturned job market. But the truth is whatever you look for, you will find. So every time you say things like, “I can’t find a job in this market,” or “There are no jobs right now,” you are reaffirming a negative belief and rewiring your brain to look for that. Your brain will focus on what you tell it to and on what you decide is important or true.
Instead, take note of whatever you can that is positive about the job search. Maybe it’s a really well-written, intriguing job description or a cool company in your industry that piques your interest, but you can always choose to look for the good stuff.
Choose an Affirmation That Feels True
Whether it’s a word or a sentence, affirmations assert or declare something. They are something you say over and over that affirm that is what is coming and that is what is true. But remember, your brain is powerful. When an affirmation does not line up with your lived experiences, your subconscious calls BS. There is a disconnect between what you are saying is true and what is really happening. So your subconscious mind doesn’t believe it, and you won’t see positive results. Instead, find an affirmation that feels true and is about what you can control, even in uncertainty. For example, you might say, “I am strong and confident, and when I get the job interview, I am going to knock it out of the park.”
