Job Search Mindset Tips

Ever been rejected by a company or a job that you really wanted? Been there. Total bummer. Here are four things you can do after being rejected: 1) Reach out to people at the company with similar roles. People love reaching out to recruiters (and hey, we can often help), but people who have the role for the job you want will usually provide so much more insight. 2) Use the job posting to learn. The role is telling you what to do and the company is telling you what they need. Use the posting to learn and see what aligns and where you may need more experience, growth, or skills. 3) Apply *again* to similar(ish) roles. Set notifications for when new roles are posted. The job search is about resilience. Applying to roles where there are overlapping skill sets helps give you the best chance at landing a role at the company. 4) Follow-up. Follow-up with the recruiter, follow-up with a rejection email, follow-up with contacts, and follow-up wit yourself to keep learning. Persistence is key!

REJECTION HURTS. A couple of years ago, I kept asking myself why I was getting rejected left and right Those rejections put me in a position where I didn’t want to pursue my goals anymore Until there was someone who told me that all I needed was ‘one yes’, and that one yes will come. Because the experiences I was going through were going to be part of the story. Here’s what I did to improve and increase my chances of getting that ‘yes’: 1. Learned from the process and what I thought I could’ve done better 2. Talked to people who were in the position I wanted to be in, talked with many who were going through the same challenges, and built a community to support each other 3. Changed my strategies, learned new things, developed new skills, basically made myself a more attractive candidate 4. Learned when it was okay to give up 5. Understood that there is no a perfect way to handle this process. I had to adjust and readjust until something happened If you’re struggling with rejections or failures, know that you will get that opportunity you’re looking for. Keep working on yourself, and don’t lose sight of the end goal. Somehow, somewhere, something will eventually happen, just like it did for the author of this tweet. #StephSynergy

Why applying to more jobs isn't the answer (and what is). 👇 Many job seekers fall into the trap of "panic applying" - frantically submitting applications to countless positions or rushing into degree programs. While this might feel like progress, it's often an ineffective strategy that can lead you down the wrong path. I learned this lesson early in my career. Initially, I was set on becoming a journalist. And if I had blindly pursued that path, I would have ended up in a role that clashed with my strengths and values - long hours, low pay, and constant deadlines. All things I despise. The key to avoiding this pitfall is to slow down and invest time in self-discovery and strategic relationship-building. Here's a more effective approach: 🍊 Self-Reflection: Deeply understand what you truly want in your next opportunity. What are your strengths, values, and deal-breakers? 🍊 Market Research: Investigate the demand for roles that interest you and what it takes to succeed in them. 🍊 Informational Interviews: Speak with professionals in your target roles or industries. Their insights are invaluable for making informed decisions. 🍊 Relationship Building: Focus on creating connections rather than just submitting applications. While it might seem time-consuming, it's often the shortcut to the top of the resume pile. 🍊 Targeted Opportunities: Pursue only roles that genuinely align with your goals and skills. This approach might feel slower at first, but it is actually much faster than applying online using a "it's a numbers game" strategy. If you want a roadmap for this strategic approach, check out my free Job Shopping Masterclass. The link is in the comments below! Because direction is more important than speed in your job search. It's about doing the RIGHT things, not just more things. Have you ever "panic-applied" for a job before? #HR #jobseekers #LinkedIn

Here’s the one mindset shift that changed my life most. For the last 12 years, I’ve woken up every day with the thought that this would be the day I get laid off. It might sound harsh, but it’s the healthiest and most prepared approach I’ve ever adopted. This is particularly true in today’s world of staggering competition and overwhelming applicant numbers, especially in the most sought-after industries. Twelve years ago, I was laid off while living in Cambridge, Massachusetts. I spent nearly half a year unemployed, around the holidays no less, with only my partner's $20,000 graduate stipend in one of the most expensive cities in the world. It was one of the most challenging experiences of my life. I felt like I had failed and spent a lot of time wondering what I had done wrong and what my career would look like moving forward. Then, I made a decision: from that day forward, I would expect to lose my job at any moment. Not out of anxiety or fear, but as a form of preparation and realism. Companies can change for a variety of reasons - leadership shifts, mergers, market shifts - and expecting these changes has made me feel much more calm, not less. Adopting this mindset has several benefits: - Preparedness: If you assume that today might be your last at any company, your materials (CV, LinkedIn) stay updated, your networking never stops, and you’re always thinking about the next opportunity. - Financial Preparedness: Along with your professional preparedness, always ensure your finances are in order. Have savings, know what you’d do for healthcare, and plan for any gaps. This mindset isn't just about your career - it’s about your entire livelihood. - No Surprises: When you’re prepared for anything, you’re never blindsided by layoffs or changes in company direction. - No Attachment: I appreciate my jobs, but I don’t attach my identity to them. The only things I’m wedded to are my family, my friends, and my values. Companies can and do change - this mindset keeps me grounded. - Personal Brand Development: Always be developing your personal brand. Your identity should stand completely unattached from the company you work for. Build something that is entirely yours, because when that company changes or you move on, your brand stays with you. *** When people think of your name outside your company does a clear, positive picture come to mind for most of them? If not, it's time to work on this *** Consider this mindset. While it doesn't eliminate all risks, it puts you in a much stronger position to pivot when things change. Your career, personal brand, and financial future will benefit, and you’ll feel happier and calmer as a result. This approach is also grounded in reality. As we’ve seen over the last three years, layoffs can happen at any moment, often with little more than a form email, and most people at the company won’t care the day after. You’re the one who needs to be ready to respond at a moment’s notice, because nobody else will.

The psychology of job searching is interesting. Our brains can fail us in a big way. A lot of people tell me that networking “takes too long.” After all, applying online offers instant gratification. We see jobs. We apply for jobs. Our brain hits us with some dopamine for our hard work. We go home and tell our spouse / parents / career coach that we applied to dozens of jobs today! Feels great for the first two weeks. Problem is? Before you know it, you’re on week 20 of the job search. You’re burned out. You stop investing time in the right stuff. You settle for jobs you don’t want. Then you have to start again from scratch. My point? Don’t sacrifice long term gains for short term happiness. Networking feels longer at first. Creating VVPs seems like a big time investment. Creating content or building a portfolio is a big lift. Truth is, they can cut your job search time in half. That’s the thing about easy wins. They’re short lived. They don’t lead to long term results. If you want to win big. You need to play the long game. Funny thing is… The long game is usually the fastest route to success.

One of the finest freedoms in the journey of professional life is this: when your identity is no longer chained to your job title, your employer, or the office you report to. True liberation comes when who you are rises above what you do in a workplace. At that point, you begin to understand that your essence is larger than your business card. Many are imprisoned by borrowed symbols—Chief Executive Officer, Senior Manager, or Analyst. These are important labels, but they are temporary markers in the seasons of professional life. They can be given; they can be taken. But when your personality is anchored on YOU, no company can define you. You carry your own “equity” into every room. In my experience, the most successful professionals are those whose relevance is not tied to job titles. When people respect you because of your title, the day the title changes, you vanish. But when respect comes because of YOU the person, no restructuring or economic downturn can erase you. A lady deleted her profile here because she lost her CFO role in a popular fintech which was largely her life. Her life was this fintech and when the job disappeared, she literally could not continue without the associated “title”. That was unfortunate. Good People, career liberation is resigning from dependence on job titles to shape your self-worth. It is about building depth so that, whether you are called “Intern” or “Chairman,” you remain the same person, delivering and commanding respect. That is the new wealth in this age—the wealth of identity, beyond the walls of companies and offices. When you attain this state, every organization becomes privileged to have you, not the other way round. Become the definition of your career, not your job title, and through that have the greatest career liberation.

I've written this before and post it again! Your job is not your identity.    Your work is what you DO, not WHO you ARE.     If you have made your job/career your identity, stop objectifying yourself and start engaging with the other aspects of who you are.     This is particularly important for those who are struggling with unemployment. It is easy to wrap our self-worth up in our job. If our job is gone, so is our self-worth. Especially if others depend on us for financial support.    You are worth SO much more than a job. You are uniquely and wonderfully made. Take a deep breath and start to look at the other aspects of who you are. Reclaim your identity.     What does that mean?    Maybe start by rejecting hustle culture and recognize that your value is not found in how much you can produce.    What is the goal? Might I suggest...    To have a well-developed sense of yourself, knowing what you uniquely enjoy and value (not what you *think* you should enjoy and value). You have your own sense of purpose that guides your decisions.    How do you get to that point?    Reclaim your time by setting clear boundaries for yourself. Be ok with saying no. No to yourself and no to others. Step away from the computer when it is time to be done with the work.    Articulate what is most important to you in life, by either writing it down, talking it out in therapy or with a trusted friend etc. Of course, this may take time to figure it all out and that is OK. Rediscovering your self-identity will not happen in one sitting.     Then align your reclaimed time with what is most important to you. But take care in doing this, do not just fill your schedule back up. Be intentional with aligning what you have discovered about yourself with how you plan to fill your time. 

Your title is the weakest part of your career. I spent multiple years allowing job titles to determine my identity. “Amazon Program Manager.” “Harvard Professional.” The titles provided me with a sense of protection which I used to conceal myself. When people inquired about my identity I simply stated my professional position instead of expressing my personal voice. But here’s the problem: Titles exist as external acquisitions. Any object that exists through borrowing can become subject to loss. The day I lost my job my professional title disappeared completely. The introduction which I used to identify myself ceased to exist at that moment. I felt invisible. I made the decision to create something more powerful than any title could offer since I no longer had one. I began to reveal my personal experiences to others. I published content about facing rejection and learning to reinvent myself and develop my ability to bounce back from challenges. I joined LinkedIn under my actual name Elvi instead of using my former Amazon title while sharing meaningful content. The discovery I made during this experience revealed two essential facts.  → Your voice exists independently exists outside of corporate employment.  → Your voice is not tied to a title.  → Your voice is yours. A community developed because of the message I shared instead of any title I held. The wait for a promotion or new role does not need to stop you from proving yourself because your voice remains unchangeable. A title can be taken away. Your voice cannot. I lost a title. But I gained something more powerful: my voice. Are you building your voice?

I’ve been part of countless hiring processes over the years. And here’s one lesson that’s stuck with me: The right attitude will take you further than the perfect resume ever could. Why? Because resumes tell you what a person has done, but attitude tells you what they can do. Here’s what I look for beyond credentials: ➟ Curiosity and Eagerness to Learn Skills can be taught, but a hunger to grow? That’s rare. ➟ Ownership and Accountability Candidates who take initiative drive progress without waiting for instructions. ➟ Resilience and Adaptability In a fast-paced environment, the ability to pivot and thrive is priceless. ➟ Positive Energy People who uplift the team create a productive, collaborative culture. ➟ Team-Oriented Mindset It’s not about standing out—it's about moving forward together. The truth? The best hires might not have the perfect resume, but they bring the qualities that move the needle. If you’re focused on building a strong, cohesive team: → Hire people, not resumes. → Prioritize attitude and character. A resume can tell you where they’ve been. But their attitude will tell you where they’re going.

One of the most common questions I hear from job seekers is, "How do I stand out in the application process?" 🤔 And, I get it. In a world where 'Easy Apply' is used by everybody and their brother, resumes and cover letters are looking one and the same, and positions are highly competitive, it's important to set yourself apart from other applicants. Most of the time, I see job seekers wanting to set themselves apart in their application materials. But, truthfully, I don't think this is the way to go (at least, not fully) 😶 Especially not when... ➡ Employee referrals are 4x more likely to be hired ➡ Roughly 80% of job openings are NEVER advertised ➡ Nearly 80% of jobs are filled through networking efforts Yes, your resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile are important. These materials need to highlight your skills, achievements, personal brand, and character. But, people = jobs 💼 If you want to approach your job search proactively and with the right mindset, you might want to... ✅ Identify alumni, current employees, and hiring managers to network with. Get industry advice on your career materials, information about application processes, and referrals if the opportunity is a good fit. ✅ Spend less time on volume of applications and more time on quality of applications. Every application you submit should have a person 'attached' to it in some way (you know someone on the hiring team, you met a future colleague at a networking event, etc.). ✅ Prepare samples of your work to share. Showing an example of your work and skillset in an interview, networking call, or cold outreach message goes a long way. Whether that means pulling up your LinkedIn profile to show some of your Featured items or toggling over to your GitHub, examples demonstrate more than words! I share more insights on the hashtag #JobSearch in my recent TikTok 💼 Check it out below! https://lnkd.in/ggfQytUV