How to Stay Motivated in Your Job Search

Make sure you're taking a long-term view while searching for your next role - that's how you build a career, not just land a job! Three pro-moves: 1. Respond with grace to every rejection and use it as an opportunity to reaffirm your interest in the company more broadly. Why: If you make it pretty far through a process (past the hiring manager), the company likes you and sees a strong match. You would likely do well there, even if another candidate wins out for this role. A positive reaction to a rejection helps strengthen the relationship with the team, and let's them know the door is open to the future. Real Life Results: I've seen others share their successes; I can personally tell you I've received 3 offers from places that have previously rejected me, and 2 were when they circled back within a few weeks to months of a rejection, with another opportunity. Ex. "Thank you so much for this update! I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed because COMPANY was truly my top choice, and a place I know I would thrive, but I'm so glad you found a strong match for this opportunity, it's an awesome role and team!! This process has been wonderful and only strengthened my interest in working with COMPANY so I hope you'll keep me in mind for similar opportunities - I'll be keeping my eyes peeled too. Careers are long and I hope we'll have the chance to be colleagues one day!" 2. Take that interview, even if something about the opportunity is less than ideal. Why: Maybe the comp is low, maybe title isn't quite what you wanted. But it's still a chance to learn more and network. If the company is of interest to you, take the chance to learn more. Yes there's an opportunity cost in terms of your time, but it may be worth it to get some networking in. Real Life Results: I've shared before that the initial salary range I was quoted for my job at Zapier was lower than what I would have expected...I continued any way, and fortunately managed to get leveled up which landed me an offer I was happy to accept! In the past, accepting an interview for a job in a location I was not willing to go to also landed me a great opportunity. Ex. There isn't one. Just say yes if there's something appealing - you might decline this opportunity, but open the door to an even better one! 3. Keep in touch with people after networking chats, interviews, etc. Why: Anyone you've met with once is in your network. When you share updates, you keep the lines of communication open. This makes it easier to make an ask in the future, and also keeps you top of mind for them! Real Life Results: This approach has helped me get referrals or connections to hiring managers, some of which have led to offers. Ex. "I know we chatted a few months ago - since our conversation, I completed my certification through PMI, and moved into an agile-focused role in my dept. I'm still interested in opportunities with COMPANY in the future, so certainly keep me in mind in the future!"

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

What if you could make your job search more proactive instead of reactive? This shift in thinking can make a huge difference in how you feel about your job search. (And feeling confident and capable is 90% of the game) I know it feels productive to apply for jobs online. You are taking concrete steps. But that's just part of job seach. In addition to applying online, there are many other ways to uncover jobs! I call these options being proactive. You are taking control. You are driving your job search forward. Many of these steps make people feel uncomfortable. I get it. But isn't that life? Try adding one or more of these to your weekly activities and see how it goes. Just try. ✅ Talk to people you know (personally and professionally) and let them know exactly the type of job and names of companies you are interested in. ✅ Attend events with the purpose of meeting at least one new person: Professional association meetings/meetups. Industry conference to meet people in your field. Webinars, online training, or events. ✅ Reconnect with past colleagues to touch base ✅ Research and reach out to alumni who are in the same field and/or work in a desired company. ✅ Send a letter of interest to a hiring manager inside a company you are interested in. ✅ Comment on LinkedIn posts by people who work in companies you are interested in or do the type of work you want to do. ✅ Announce on LinkedIn (and other social media channels) that you are looking for a new job. You must include the job title you are pursuing and provide a short summary of your skills/experience. Take a chance. Be proactive!

7 Simple Ways To Manage Job Search Anxiety & Burnout: 1. Set The Right Expectations Early When a process frustrates us, expectations are usually the culprit. Setting them correctly changes your mindset. Here's how: 1. Understand the benchmark outcomes for each activity in the job search 2. Cut those in half Ex: If the data says 2% of online apps land interviews, expect 1% to start. 2. Identify And Reallocate Your Energy Your job search activities fit into two buckets: 1. Energy Drainers 2. Energy Creators Make a list of every activity. Label each as a creator or drainer. Try to automate, delegate, or eliminate drainers. Then double down on creators. 3. Use A Job Search Framework Job searching without a real plan is the fastest way to burnout. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, try a framework like the 5:50:5 Method: 5 Job Search Tasks 50 Minutes Per Day 5 Days Per Week Having a structure like this can help you know when you’ve done “enough.” 4. Create A Support System Tough journeys are even harder when we go them alone. Finding a community of people on the same path is a game changer. It could be: - A few friends - A professional community - A bootcamp class - A career coach - A therapist Whatever it is for you, make it a priority. 5. Create Non-Negotiable "Me" Time It's not healthy to spend every moment of free time job searching. You need to find time for the things that fill your cup: - Exercising - Reading - Meeting Friends - Making Art - Watching TV - Etc. Make a point to spend at least 30 minutes / day on those things. 6. Fully Unplug When You Need To Sometimes 30 minutes isn't enough. You need to completely unplug.  But that feels scary. We tell ourselves, "we're not working hard enough" or "we're wasting time." If you feel burnout creeping in? Take a full day off. If you need more time than that? 7. Get Professional Help If therapy is in your budget, I wholeheartedly recommend it. For anyone. I've spent a lot of money on coaches, courses, and programs. But the money I've spent working with my therapist is easily the best investment I've made in myself, my mental health, and my career. PS - I'm not a mental health expert and this isn't medical advice. I've struggled with my fair share of mental health ups and downs though, especially when I was job searching. I've also coached thousands of job seekers through their own. These tips are the ones I've seen help the most in both of those cases. Take it, here’s your permission.

Don’t spend time on things you can’t control. Not in your career, and not in your life When I coach people that are looking for their next opportunity, I always recommend analyzing what they’re doing, and if that’s not generating the results they’re expecting, understand what might be going wrong, find different alternatives, but always spend 99.9% of their time on the things they can control. If you are, for instance, applying for roles and only getting rejections, that might be a sign that there could be a problem with your [resume, interviewing skills, not meeting the minimum requirements, etc.]. But it could also be the market that is saturated. Or the company is on a hiring freeze. Or many other reasons. What can you do? Control what you can control: 1. Read job descriptions carefully. Make sure you meet the minimum qualifications before applying to the job 2. Understand what are the main skills needed across the board 3. Do a personal SWOT analysis and use your strengths/skills to describe opportunities and how they add value to the organization 4. Choose your top 2-3 examples from past experiences (that relates to the job the most) and use them to write your resume bullet points 5. Choose your top 5-10 companies, add them to a document and search for recruiters on LinkedIn (connect with them not to send your resume only, but to network) 6. Consider side gigs and freelance while searching for a job (bills need to be covered) 7. Continue developing your skills and your job search portfolio Ultimately, spending time on things we can’t control is the quickest way to disappointment and feeling like giving up. Let’s spend time and energy on what we can control, and continue working for what we need. We got this. #StephSynergy

Endless interviews, ghosting and rejections, oh my! Job hunting right now is exhausting. If you are struggling with your job search you are not alone. I know what you are dealing with: ➙The emotional hit of instant rejections ➙The confusion of on again/off again messages ➙The disappointment of hours of preparation with zero results It's hard to keep going in the face of these barriers. 🌟But the job offers go to those who don't quit!🌟 Here are some strategies to help you keep going: 1️⃣ Reframe "Radio Silence" ↳ It has nothing to do with you ↳ They don't have systems and processes ✅ You don't want to work there 💡The truth: They're showing you who they are. ↳ HR is overwhelmed, understaffed, and disorganized ↳ Management doesn't have its act together 2️⃣ Change the KPIs ↳ Key Performance Indicators should be things YOU control ↳ Measure connections, conversations, applications & preparation ✅ Focus on your own growth 💡The truth: You can't control the job market or an employer. ↳ Your energy is best spent on becoming the best candidate ↳ Research, relationships and practice pay off 3️⃣ Self-Care First ↳ Stick to a daily routine ↳ Use time-blocking to avoid burnout ✅ Winners play the long game 💡The truth: Burnout and defeat show in an interview. ↳ Prioritizing mental and physical health gives you energy ↳ Another hour scrolling job boards is a poor use of time 4️⃣ Build A Support Team ↳ No one should be job hunting alone ↳ People who can be objective are best ✅ Asking for encouragement is smart. 💡The truth: Job hunting is lonely. ↳ Make a specific ask of family & friends ↳ A career coach or accountability buddy can also help 5️⃣ Use Multiple Tactics ↳ Don't rely on 1 or 2 strategies for your search ↳ Avoid getting comfortable and try something new ✅ Winning candidates use ALL the strategies 💡The truth: Shaking things up will keep you energized. ↳ The minimum: Job boards, target employers, connections & applications ↳ Stay on top of tactics by following career coaches on LinkedIn 6️⃣ Take Breaks ↳ Don't sit for more than 2 hours at a time. ↳ Take off 1-2 days a week ✅ Always make time for things you enjoy 💡The truth: Job hunting is NOT a full-time job ↳ You cannot sustain a serious job search without taking breaks ↳ Tell anyone who gets on your case you appreciate their concern Job hunting isn't easy. It's not even simple. Complaining and focusing on the negative won't change that. Remember: the only person who loses if you give up is you. ♻️ Repost to help other job seekers stay strong 🔔 Follow Sarah Baker Andrus for more career resilience strategies 📌 Need help right now? DM me to get on my calendar.

What does it feel like when: - 𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴. - 𝘎𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴. - 𝘙𝘦𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘱𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘱. At some point, the frustration turns into exhaustion And you start to wonder, is it even worth it? I get it. Job searching can feel like an endless cycle of effort with no results. Hopelessness isn’t a sign to quit, it’s a signal to adjust. Here’s what to do when nothing seems to be working: -> 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗲 “𝘀𝗽𝗿𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝘆” 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵 If you’re mass-applying to every job you see, pause. Instead, focus on fewer, high-quality applications tailored to the right roles. -> 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 80% of hires come from networking. Instead of only relying on job boards, start reaching out to people in your target companies. A single referral can change everything. -> 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘇𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 How many applications → screenings? How many screenings → interviews? Where’s the drop-off? If you’re not getting interviews, refine your resume. If interviews aren’t converting, work on storytelling and technical answers. -> 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝟭% 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗱𝗮𝘆 Job searching is a skill. Small improvements, whether in outreach, interview prep, or LinkedIn optimization, compound over time. -> 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 Burnout kills momentum. If you’re feeling drained, take a short break to reset. A fresh mind performs better in interviews and networking. Remember, the job search isn’t about if; it’s about when. The right opportunity exists, but you have to be positioned to find it.

Unsure What to Do With Your Career? Read This. 💭 Let’s be honest: Most of us are terrible multitaskers (even if we tried to sell it as our “greatest strength” in a job interview once upon a time 😅). It takes up to 23 minutes to refocus after a distraction, but there’s another hidden cost:  All that mental ping-ponging could prevent you from figuring out what you want from your life and career.  Here’s why: When you bounce between Slacks, spreadsheets, and social media, your brain goes into damage-control mode. As neuroscientist Earl Miller explains in Johann Hari’s book Stolen Focus: “Instead of spending critical time really doing deep thinking, your thinking is more superficial because you’re spending a lot of time correcting errors and backtracking.”  And if you’re always reorienting yourself, you’re not just making work harder, you’re also losing mental space for deeper thinking about your career, purpose, and what truly energizes you.  That’s what happened to me in 2020. Back then, my 9-5 had me on the move: airport on Monday, client meetings on Tuesday, and deliverables on Wednesday. I was constantly flitting through to-dos.  Then COVID-19 hit. Travel stopped. And I had uninterrupted time to reflect. It’s no surprise that the idea for Miss Excel hit me soon after. If you're feeling unclear about your professional path, here’s my advice:  Carve out one hour this week just for thinking big picture. No "productive" tasks (and definitely no phone!). Just you and your thoughts.  Chances are, the career clarity you're searching for is already in your brain, waiting for you to stop the mental ping-pong game long enough to see it. ✨

📢 To everyone in the job market: You’re more than a resume. Searching for jobs is exhausting. The waiting, the rejections, the self-doubt… it can wear you down. But I want to remind you that your value is not measured by how many interviews you land. You bring experience, creativity, resilience, and a unique perspective that no job posting can fully capture. If you feel stuck in your job search, consider stepping outside the traditional apply-and-wait approach. Here are some out-of-the-box, creative ways to stand out: 🔷 Show, Don’t Just Tell  Instead of just listing skills, create something to showcase your expertise. A case study, a mock strategy, a personal website, or even a short video introduction can leave a lasting impression. Visual storytelling is powerful. 🔷 Engage, Don’t Just Apply  Comment on industry leaders’ posts, share insights on LinkedIn, or write about trends in your field. Thoughtful engagement can get you noticed before you apply. 🔷 Pitch Yourself Differently  Consider an interactive presentation, a short project proposal, or a creative storytelling approach that aligns with the company’s mission. Don’t just rely on a traditional cover letter. 🔷 Network Beyond the Obvious  Attend niche virtual meetups, contribute to industry online groups, or start your own professional roundtable discussions. Many opportunities arise from conversations, not job boards. 🔷 Reverse-Engineer Opportunities Identify companies you admire, research their challenges, and reach out with tailored ideas on how you can add value. Use design thinking and product management principles. Initiative speaks volumes, and you don’t have to wait for job postings. 🔷 Reverse Mentorship Offer to mentor someone within your target company, in an area where you have unique expertise. It builds relationships and positions you as a valuable contributor before you're even hired. 🔷 Personalized Impact Reports Instead of just a resume, create a short report outlining the impact you could have on a company based on your skills and research. Quantify your potential contributions. 🔷 Tell an Impactful Story You are not just looking for a job. You are looking for your next opportunity to create impact. Use the STAR method to tell your story about your great work and impact with a clear format about the Situation, Task, Action, and Result. Most importantly, keep going. With this intentional approach beyond what's on your resume, you're expanding your surface area of possibilities. New places, new people, an expanded network, a stronger brand about your work ethic and growth mindset... they all increase the likelihood of opportunities. And you’re more likely to find the right role where your skills, passions, and purpose align. What unique strategies have helped you stand out in your career journey? Share below and with someone in your network who is in the job market.

Searching for a job while burnt out is a different kind of challenge. You’re not just managing logistics, You’re managing low energy, low motivation, and a loud inner critic. I’ve supported engineers through this exact season. Smart, capable people who gave everything to their last role and are now expected to “perform” again, but this time, without fuel. Here’s how we rebuild, with strategy, not hustle. 1. Create your non-negotiables list. Start with clarity, not applications. What are you unwilling to compromise on this time? Think: leadership style, workload, culture, autonomy, values. Burnout is often the result of repeatedly crossing your own boundaries. Let’s not do that again. 2. Set a low-bandwidth system that still moves you forward. → 15 minutes a day. → 1 job saved. → 1 connection reached out to per week. → 1 bullet updated on your resume. You don’t need to overhaul everything overnight. You just need consistent motion, without triggering the same patterns that caused the burnout. 3. Focus your energy on high-leverage actions. → Prioritize warm intros over mass applications. → Target roles that align with your strengths and energy, not just your skill set. → Ask for referrals early in the process. Let your network work for you. 4. Reframe “readiness.” Burnout makes you second-guess everything, especially your worth. You don’t need to feel 100% ready to show up. You need to trust that your experience still holds value, even in a hard season. 5. Build your team. Whether it’s a mentor, a coach, a peer, or a friend, someone who helps you stay out of your own head. You don’t need to do this alone. And honestly, you shouldn’t. You can be tired and capable. Uncertain and qualified. Burnt out and still ready for better. The key is designing a search that honors where you are, and helps you move forward with less pressure, not more.